India signs global treaty against nuclear terrorism

India signed the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism on Monday at the United Nations, said Navtej Sarna, a spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs.

Photo: India signs global treaty against nuclear terrorism

The treaty, which makes it a crime to damage a nuclear facility or possess radioactive material or weapons with the intention of committing a terrorist act, was adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in April 2005. It has already been signed by some 105 countries, including the United States, Russia and France.

Signing the treaty commits India to tighten its domestic laws to make terrorist acts involving the use of nuclear materials a serious, punishable offense.

Signatories are also required to cooperate in the prevention and investigation of such acts, and the prosecution of those accused of committing them, through the sharing of information, extradition and mutual legal assistance.

The announcement comes as the U.S. Congress debates whether to approve a civilian nuclear agreement that would have the United States deliver nuclear fuel and expertise to India.

In return, New Delhi would agree to international inspections and safeguards at 14 nuclear reactors it has designated as civilian; eight military facilities would remain off-limits.

However, before the agreement is finalized, Congress must exempt India from U.S. laws that restrict trade with countries that refuse to submit to full nuclear inspections.

The U.N.-sponsored treaty is the first anti-terrorism convention adopted since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington, India's ministry of external affairs said in a statement.