Pakistan Slams Indian Defence Minister’s Irresponsible Remarks on Nuclear Arsenal

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strongly condemned the recent remarks made by India’s Defence Minister during his visit to the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K), in which he made unfounded and provocative statements about Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal.

In a statement issued by the Foreign Office on Wednesday, Islamabad termed the remarks as “irresponsible and baseless,” asserting that they reflect the Indian minister’s “profound insecurity and frustration” over Pakistan’s effective defence and credible deterrence against Indian aggression.

“The statement once again reveals New Delhi’s deliberate attempts to distort facts and mislead the international community regarding Pakistan’s security posture. Pakistan’s conventional capabilities alone are sufficient to counter any threat from India, without resorting to the self-imposed ‘nuclear blackmail’ that India seems to suffer from,” the Foreign Office said.

The spokesperson further criticized the Indian Defence Minister’s comments for showing “sheer ignorance” about the mandate and responsibilities of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a specialised United Nations body.

“If anything,” the Foreign Office said, “the IAEA and the international community should be gravely concerned about the recurring incidents of theft and illicit trafficking of nuclear and radioactive material in India.”

The statement pointed to a number of alarming incidents that have occurred in India in recent years. In one such case last year, five individuals were found in Dehradun with a radioactive device allegedly stolen from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). In another case, a gang was caught in possession of Californium, a highly radioactive and toxic substance valued at approximately US$100 million. Notably, three separate thefts involving Californium were also reported in India in 2021.

“These recurring incidents raise serious concerns about the effectiveness of India’s nuclear safety and security architecture and point to the existence of a black market for dual-use radioactive materials within the country,” the statement added.

Pakistan has urged the international community to take these threats seriously and called for a thorough investigation into these alarming developments. The Foreign Office emphasized that India must ensure the safety and security of its nuclear materials and facilities, which pose a serious threat not only to regional peace but also to global nuclear security norms.