India Strengthens Ties With African Diamond-Producing Nations Ahead of Kimberley Process Plenary

November 5, 2026

New Delhi: India is looking to increase collaboration with diamond producing countries, particularly in Africa around ethical sourcing, supply chain and sustainability, ahead of the Kimberley Process (KP) Plenary being held in New Delhi from November 30-December 4.

India, who hold the chairmanship of the Kimberley Process in 2026, outlined their priorities for the global diamond industry during a stakeholder consultation in Luanda, Angola on Tuesday, the Commerce Ministry said in a statement issued on Thursday.

The meeting, chaired by Additional Secretary Yashvir Singh on behalf of India included Kimberley Process Working Group and Committees Chairs and Vice-Chairs, KP Vice-Chair Ghana and former Chair from the United Arab Emirates.

There were also representatives from various Observer Groups and Partner Organisations including the World Diamond Council and African Diamond Producers’ Association (ADPA).

India Looks To Increase Collaboration With African Diamond Producers

India have observer status within ADPA and can therefore collaborate with diamond producing countries across Africa. The association will allow collaboration around ensuring supply chains for rough diamonds, sharing technical knowledge, adding value and increasing market access.

Collaboration is around encouraging ethical and sustainable practices.

During the 13th Extraordinary Meeting of the ADPA Council of Ministers, which also marked the 20th anniversary celebrations of the ADPA, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was approved between Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and ADPA.

This MoU will increase collaboration between the Indian gem and jewellery industry with diamond producing countries in Africa. This includes training, capacity building and skills sharing around diamond grading, valuing and manufacturing, sharing technical knowledge and increasing trade and investment.

India Aims To Create Confidence

“We are focused on creating confidence, ensuring compliance and increasing credibility,” Yashvir Singh said.

“This stakeholder session has given us the opportunity to discuss some of the issues around the Kimberley Process and diamond industry with the Kimberley Process Working Body leaders, vice chair and observers.”

“The overall aim is to create mutual understanding around these issues to ensure we can achieve practical outcomes at the New Delhi Plenary,” he added.

Sustainability, Funding And Digitisation Of Certification And Statistics

The discussions included sustainability of diamond producing countries and communities, sustainability of funding and ensuring the KP Secretariat can continue. There was also discussion around digitisation of certification and statistics.

There was discussion around how to improve Kimberley Process Certification Scheme compliance.

Other topics included re-defining conflict diamonds, ethical sourcing, artisanal and alluvial diamond production, consumer confidence and improving reporting and peer review.

The ADPA was established in 2006 in Luanda with the aim to increase collaboration between diamond producing countries in Africa. It currently has 15 member countries and 8 Observers, two of which are not from Africa (Russia and India).

The member countries represent over 60 per cent of the worlds diamond production.