India will assume the chairmanship of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) on January 1, 2026, following selection through a consensus-based written procedure initiated on December 5, 2025. The appointment follows India’s vice chair role in 2025 and marks the country’s third time leading the initiative.
For the global diamond trade, the timing matters. The Kimberley Process remains the only worldwide intergovernmental certification system designed to regulate international trade in rough diamonds and prevent conflict-linked shipments from entering legitimate supply chains.
Why the Kimberley Process still sets the baseline for rough diamonds
Launched in 2003, the KPCS requires participating jurisdictions to implement import/export controls and certify rough diamond shipments as conflict-free when trading with other participants. Today, the Kimberley Process comprises 60 participants representing 80+ countries, with the European Union counted as a single participant. Collectively, it covers the vast majority of global rough diamond production and trade.
In practical terms, Kimberley Process compliance is the entry ticket for legitimate cross-border trade in rough diamonds. It is also a reputational backstop: when consumer trust weakens, jewellers and suppliers are forced to defend not only the beauty of the product, but also the integrity of the chain behind it.
What India’s 2026 chairmanship signals
India has been a constructive participant since the Kimberley Process was established and has chaired the initiative twice before. Its return to the chair in 2026 underscores an ongoing commitment to a responsible and transparent diamond trade at a moment when scrutiny around sourcing and traceability continues to rise.
In welcoming the news, GJEPC Chairman Kirit Bhansali said India’s selection reflects international trust in the Indian government’s approach to strengthening global diamond trade through efficient Kimberley Process governance.
GJEPC also signalled an operational commitment, stating it will work closely with the Government of India and stakeholders to support the vice chair’s responsibilities in 2025 and the chairmanship in 2026. The council said its priorities include advancing best practices, strengthening compliance, and reinforcing confidence in conflict-free diamonds across global markets.
What Canadian jewellers should watch in 2026
While the Kimberley Process applies to rough diamonds, its influence reaches the retail counter because shoppers increasingly ask a simple question: are these diamonds conflict-free? Any progress on stronger compliance, more transparent governance, or modernized certification has downstream value for retailers who need clean, confident answers.
Three themes are worth tracking as India takes the helm:
1) Compliance and enforcement consistency
The Kimberley Process’s credibility depends on how consistently it is implemented across participants. Stronger compliance signals reduce risk for legitimate players and raise the cost of non-compliance.
2) Digital certification and traceability momentum
As the industry modernizes documentation and data systems, digital improvements can reduce friction in trade, improve auditability, and strengthen trust across the supply chain.
3) Confidence in the category
Even when jewellers sell polished diamonds, not rough, upstream credibility supports stronger storytelling, cleaner disclosure, and greater consumer confidence—especially in a market where trust is a competitive advantage.
India’s election as Kimberley Process Chair for 2026 puts a major diamond-manufacturing and trading centre at the head of the framework that underpins international rough diamond trade. With GJEPC pledging close collaboration and a focus on best practices and compliance, 2026 could be a pivotal year for strengthening confidence in the integrity of the global diamond supply chain.
