India's upper house okays nuclear bill

Foreign Minister Natwar Singh assured lawmakers that the proposed legislation "would not hinder" India's development of its defence capabilities and atomic power industry.

"India is committed to safeguarding its security as a nuclear weapon state and to deepen its autonomous scientific and technical capability for meeting our security imperatives as well as our developmental goals," Singh said before lawmakers passed the bill.

"The bill does not seek to check development of missile technology but prevent leakage of this technology. As a responsible nation, India has never passed on its proven technological capabilities to any one," he added.

The bill was passed by the lower house of parliament on Thursday and will become law as soon as it is signed by Indian President Abdul Kalam.

The Weapons of Mass Destru-ction and Their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Bill, outlaws the transfer of biological and chemical weapons and their delivery systems.

It lays down that a person caught engaging in nuclear commerce or passing on atomic technology could face five years to a life in prison as well as a fine. The legislation covers Indians in India and abroad and foreigners residing in India.

India has refused to sign two hallmark agreements on proliferation, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and Non-Proliferation Treaty, saying they are discriminatory because they allow the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to keep their nuclear weapons.

PTI adds: Government on Friday said the new legislation to prohibit unlawful activities in relation to weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and their means of delivery in no way indicated any change in India's nuclear policy.

"It does not indicate any change in our nuclear policy. It does not in any manner constrain our nuclear programme, civilian or strategic," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters here.