A bill which seeks to ban funding of weapons of mass destruction and also empower the Centre to freeze, seize or attach financial assets and economic resources of people engaged in such activities was passed by Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Responding to a discussion on the Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the passage of the amendment will strengthen India's national security and its global position.
The House passed the bill by a voice vote with members expressing unanimity that such a measure was the need of the hour.
The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, passed in 2005, only banned manufacture of weapons of mass destruction.
"In recent times, regulations relating to proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems by international organisations have expanded," Jaishankar said in the statements of objects and reasons of the bill.
He noted that the United Nations Security Council's targeted financial sanctions and the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force have mandated against financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems.
Parliament Winter Session From Nov 25 To Dec 20 Congress Urges All Party Meet For Clarity On Caste Enumeration In Next Census Priyanka Gandhi Shares What Mother Teresa Told Her After Father's Death India Calls Out Canada's Move Against Outlet That Interviewed S Jaishankar Video: Gurugram Housing Complex Uses 'Artificial Rain' To Combat Pollution Indian-Origin Woman Buys Matthew Perry's Los Angeles Home, Performs 'Puja' Congress Has Lost Its Moorings, No Debate About That: Jyotiraditya Scindia BharatMatrimony Reacts To Married Woman's Viral 'Fake Profile' Claim "It's Shocking": Supreme Court On Rs 15,000 Pension For Ex-High Court Judge Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.