The first committee of the United Nations has adopted an India-sponsored resolution on preventing terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. Supported by 10 countries, including France, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka, the resolution will now be put before the UN General Assembly for formal adoption.According to MEA officials, this is the second consecutive year that an India-sponsored resolution on measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring WMDs is being adopted by the UN. ‘‘This is an interesting development. India’s initiative on weapons of mass destruction and terrorism has been accorded a pre-eminent place. It received support from all political groupings within the UN,’’ the MEA spokesperson said today, adding that France came forward as a co-sponsor for the first time. Recognising the determination of the international community to combat terrorism, the resolution voices deep concern at the growing connections between terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, in particular the fact that terrorists might seek to acquire them.It notes the support expressed in the final document of the Kuala Lumpur summit of Non-Aligned countries in February for measures to prevent such terrorist moves. It also takes into account discussions on the subject in the G-8, the European Union and the ASEAN Regional Forum.
