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• As India prepares to chair the Kimberley Process in 2026, this explainer unpacks conflict diamonds, global reforms, and why governance and trust now matter more than ever.

 

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Introduction: When Diamonds Fund Wars Instead of Dreams

Diamonds have long symbolized love, luxury, and permanence. Yet, beneath their brilliance lies a darker history—one where gemstones financed civil wars, armed rebellions, and human suffering across parts of Africa. These so-called conflict diamonds, also known as blood diamonds, forced the global community to confront an uncomfortable truth: beauty could be complicit in brutality.

As India prepares to chair the Kimberley Process (KP) for the third time from January 1, 2026, the spotlight returns to this international effort to keep conflict diamonds out of global markets. India’s upcoming leadership comes at a critical moment, as questions of transparency, traceability, and consumer trust reshape the future of the diamond industry.

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Context & Background: What Are Conflict Diamonds?

Conflict diamonds are defined by United Nations Security Council resolutions as rough diamonds sold by rebel groups or their allies to finance armed conflicts aimed at undermining legitimate governments. During the 1990s and early 2000s, these diamonds played a devastating role in civil wars in countries such as Sierra Leone, Angola, Liberia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The human cost was staggering—child soldiers, mass displacement, and prolonged violence, all indirectly funded by stones that eventually reached international jewelry markets. Global outrage, amplified by civil society campaigns and investigative reporting, pushed governments and industry leaders to act.

Today, conflict diamonds account for less than 0.1 percent of global diamond production, according to estimates from the Kimberley Process and the United Nations. While this marks significant progress, fragile situations persist in regions like the Central African Republic, reminding policymakers that vigilance remains essential.

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Main Developments: Understanding the Kimberley Process

The Kimberley Process was established in 2003 as an international, multi-stakeholder trade regime designed to eliminate conflict diamonds from the legal supply chain. Rather than functioning as a traditional international organization, it operates as a consensus-based partnership involving governments, the diamond industry, and civil society.

At its core lies the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), which regulates trade in rough diamonds. Participating countries must meet strict minimum requirements, including:

• Establishing national legislation and regulatory institutions
• Implementing import and export controls
• Sharing statistical data transparently
• Trading only with other Kimberley Process participants
• Certifying diamond shipments as conflict-free

Today, the Kimberley Process includes 60 participants representing 86 countries, with the European Union acting as a single participant. Collectively, they account for more than 99 percent of global rough diamond production and trade, making the KP one of the most influential ethical trade mechanisms in the world.

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A Consensus-Based but Fragile System

Unlike global bodies with permanent secretariats, the Kimberley Process has no permanent offices or staff. It relies on annual rotating chairmanships and shared responsibility under a principle of “burden-sharing.” Meetings are held twice a year—during Intersessional and Plenary sessions—where decisions must be reached by consensus.

This structure has strengths, particularly inclusivity and shared ownership. However, critics argue that consensus-based decision-making can slow reform, especially when geopolitical interests clash. Calls to expand the definition of conflict diamonds to include human rights abuses by state actors, for instance, have sparked intense debate within the KP framework.

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Expert Insight: Why India’s Role Is Pivotal

India is not just a participant—it is a global powerhouse in diamond cutting and polishing, handling the majority of the world’s rough diamonds before they reach consumers. Analysts note that this positions India uniquely to influence governance standards across the entire value chain.

Policy observers emphasize that India’s upcoming chairmanship signals continuity and reform. With India having assumed the role of vice chair from December 25, its transition into full leadership reflects growing confidence in its ability to balance industry efficiency with ethical oversight.

As one industry expert notes, “India sits at the intersection of production, processing, and trade. Its leadership can help bridge gaps between compliance on paper and accountability in practice.”

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Impact & Implications: What Comes Next

During its tenure, India has outlined a clear agenda:

• Strengthening governance and compliance mechanisms
• Advancing digital certification and traceability systems
• Enhancing transparency through data-driven monitoring
• Building consumer trust in conflict-free diamonds

These priorities align with broader global trends. Consumers increasingly demand ethically sourced products, while investors and regulators expect stronger Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. Failure to adapt could erode confidence not just in diamonds, but in multilateral trade frameworks themselves.

India’s leadership also arrives amid shifting geopolitics, where supply chains are under scrutiny and multilateral institutions face credibility challenges. A more inclusive, transparent, and technologically enabled Kimberley Process could serve as a model for responsible sourcing beyond diamonds.

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Conclusion: Reinforcing Trust in a Changing World

The story of conflict diamonds is one of painful lessons and cautious progress. While the Kimberley Process has dramatically reduced the flow of diamonds funding armed conflict, its relevance now depends on its ability to evolve.

India’s 2026 chairmanship represents more than a rotating responsibility—it is an opportunity to reinforce trust in a system that connects miners, manufacturers, traders, and consumers across continents. By focusing on governance, transparency, and digital innovation, India can help ensure that diamonds remain symbols of celebration, not suffering.

In a world increasingly defined by ethical choices, the future of the diamond trade may depend not on brilliance alone, but on accountability beneath the surface.

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