India to sign treaty on nuclear terrorism

NEW DELHI: India will sign a UN-sponsored global treaty on preventing nuclear terrorism, the defence minister announced on Friday. The treaty makes it a crime to possess radioactive material or weapons with the intention of committing a terrorist act, or to damage a nuclear facility.

The decision to ratify the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism was made on Friday at a Cabinet meeting headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, defence minister Pranab Mukherjee said.

The treaty was adopted by the UN General Assembly in April, ’05. Some 105 countries, including the US, Russia and France, have already signed the treaty.

The announcement comes as the US Congress is considering whether to approve a civilian nuclear agreement that would allow the US to ship nuclear technology and fuel to India in return for India’s permission for international inspections and safeguards at 14 nuclear reactors it has designated as civilian; eight military facilities would remain off-limits.

Before the agreement is finalised, Congress must exempt India from US laws that restrict trade with countries that refuse to submit to full nuclear inspections.

India is already a signatory to 12 international agreements and treaties to prevent terrorism. “By signing and ratifying this convention, India will strengthen its credentials as a responsible partner in the fight against terrorism, Mr sMukherjee said.