Home>News Center>World
         
 

India lower house of parliament okays nuclear bill
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-05-13 00:18

India, armed with nuclear weapons and developing its atomic power industry, passed a bill in its lower house of parliament on Thursday that bans illegal proliferation of nuclear technology.

India and its rival Pakistan stunned the world in 1998 by carrying out tit-for-tat nuclear tests, drawing sanctions by the United States on both South Asian powers.

"We have adopted the most responsible policy on sensitive and dual-use nuclear and missile-related technologies," Foreign Minister Natwar Singh said before lawmakers passed the measure, The Weapons of Mass Destruction and Their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Bill, by a voice vote.

"We are committed to ensure that these do not fall into the wrong hands, especially the terrorists and non-state actors."

Neither India nor Pakistan have signed the 1970 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT).

India has been seeking to develop its civilian nuclear industry with Russian and US assistance. Currently, only about three percent of India's total power requirement is met by nuclear energy which it aims to increase to around 25 percent by 2050.

The bill, which also bans the transfer of biological and chemical weapons and their delivery systems, says any person who indulges in nuclear proliferation would face at least five years in prison, which could be extended to a life sentence.

The proposed legislation, which must pass the upper house of parliament before it becomes law, covers Indians in India and abroad and foreigners residing in India.

Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems estimates that India has between 100-150 nuclear warheads and Pakistan 25-50.

On Thursday, India tested its nuclear-capable Prithvi short-range missile, seen as a deterrent against Pakistan which also has missiles able to carry nuclear warheads.

Last September, Washington lifted decades-old curbs on equipment for India's nuclear power facilities and space programme, a sign of increasingly warm ties between the two major democracies.

But irritants remain. In last September, the US administration imposed sanctions on two Indian scientists for alleged nuclear cooperation with Iran, resulting in New Delhi protesting the move.



 
  Today's Top News     Top World News
 

Hu: Peace, stability common aspirations

 

   
 

Pressure on yuan revaluation won't work

 

   
 

China seeks resolution to textile issue

 

   
 

Report: China auto sales hit record high

 

   
 

Foreigners encouraged to seek S&T partners

 

   
 

Russia says it uncovers US spy activity

 

   
  Russia says it uncovers US spy activity
   
  Europeans warn Iran on nukes
   
  Iran poised to end nuclear activity freeze
   
  Afghan anti-US protests spread to Kabul
   
  Prosecutors: Father stabbed girls 30 times
   
  US Military punishes key Abu Ghraib scandal figure
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  Related Stories  
   
Indian protesters burn Bush effigy in Calcutta
   
Pakistan, India agree another cross-border bus
   
India overtake China in 2030 with 1.4b people
   
Japan's PM pushes strategic ties with India
   
Japan, India pledge support for U.N. seats
   
Japan Seeks Partnership with India
   
First delegation of Pakistani Hindus in 8 years arrives in India
  News Talk  
  Are the Republicans exploiting the memory of 9/11?  
Advertisement