Pakistan slams Indian defence minister’s remarks on nuclear arsenal

Pakistan on Thursday strongly condemned remarks made by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh regarding oversight of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, calling them "irresponsible and misleading."

The FO statement came after Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh claimed that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons should be placed under the surveillance of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations' nuclear watchdog.

Responding to the statement, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan dismissed the comments, describing them as reflective of "profound insecurity and frustration" over Pakistan’s conventional military capabilities, which he said were sufficient to deter Indian aggression without reliance on nuclear threats.

Khan also criticised Rajnath Singh's understanding of international nuclear oversight mechanisms, stating that his comments demonstrated “ignorance of the mandate and responsibilities” of a specialised UN agency like the IAEA.

The FO spokesperson raised concerns over India’s track record in nuclear safety, citing multiple incidents of theft and illegal possession of radioactive material in recent years.

He referenced specific incidents, including a reported theft from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and the seizure of Californium, a highly radioactive substance, in Dehradun.

“Just last year, five individuals with a radioactive device reportedly stolen from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) were found in Dehradun, India."

“These incidents suggest the existence of a black market for sensitive, dual-use materials inside India,” the FO spokesperson said, urging the international community and the IAEA to investigate the matter thoroughly.

The latest escalation between Pakistan and India began on April 22, when an attack in the IIOJK resort town of Pahalgam killed 26 people. India immediately blamed Pakistan for the incident, despite providing no public evidence.

In response, India undertook a series of hostile actions the next day on April 23, including suspending the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), cancelling visas for Pakistani citizens, closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing, ordering the shutdown of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, and reducing diplomatic staff at each other's embassies.

Pakistan strongly rejected the accusation, calling it unsubstantiated, but took reciprocal measures through its National Security Committee (NSC). These included halting trade with India, closing Pakistani airspace to Indian aircraft, and other countersteps.

Tensions further escalated in the early hours of May 7, when missile strikes hit six cities in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), destroying a mosque and killing dozens of civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.

In a swift military response, Pakistan’s armed forces shot down Indian warplanes, including three Rafale jets, widely regarded as a key asset of the Indian Air Force. Over the following two days, India launched waves of Israeli-made drones, which were also neutralised by Pakistan's military.

The confrontation intensified again in the early hours of May 10, when India targeted several Pakistani airbases with missile strikes. In retaliation, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, damaging Indian military installations, including missile storage sites, airbases, and other strategic targets.

By Saturday evening, US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire had been reached following intense diplomatic efforts overnight. Minutes later, the agreement was confirmed separately by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the Indian foreign secretary.