(Rapaport…November 16, 2000) Two members of the UN Security Council’s panel on Sierra Leone visiting India asked India to carefully monitor its rough diamond imports, and check the importers’ credentials, to ensure that only conflict-free diamonds enter the marketplace. The two panel members also want the Indian government to keep records of rough diamond imports according to the standards being drawn up by the UN.
Indian diamond industry representatives who met with the panel members said that no diamonds were being imported directly into India from Sierra Leone or Angola. Diamond importers in India are required to have their suppliers abroad certify that all rough diamonds being imported are not conflict diamonds. India’s trade council has said that it will expel any members caught trading in conflict diamonds and has asked banks to cooperate in efforts to restrict the flow of conflict diamonds.