Pakistan has strongly condemned the provocative and irresponsible remarks made by the Indian Defence Minister regarding Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal during his visit to Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K) earlier today.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan said the Indian Minister’s comments reflect profound insecurity and frustration over Pakistan’s effective conventional deterrence against Indian aggression. “Pakistan’s conventional capabilities are sufficient to ensure credible deterrence, without resorting to the self-imposed ‘nuclear blackmail’ that India appears to suffer from,” the statement read.
The Foreign Office also criticized the Indian Minister’s remarks for displaying ignorance of the mandate and functions of specialised United Nations agencies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). “If anything, the IAEA and the international community should be deeply concerned over India’s repeated incidents of theft and illicit trafficking of nuclear and radioactive material,” it said.
Citing specific incidents, the statement pointed to the 2024 case involving five individuals in Dehradun found with a radioactive device reportedly stolen from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). It also recalled the discovery of a gang in illegal possession of Californium—a highly toxic and radioactive substance worth over US$100 million—and three other reported thefts of Californium in 2021.
“These recurring incidents raise serious questions about India’s nuclear safety and security framework and suggest the presence of a black market for sensitive, dual-use materials within the country,” the Foreign Office noted.
Pakistan called for a thorough international investigation into these incidents and urged India to ensure the safety and security of its nuclear facilities and arsenal in line with its international obligations.
