Pakistan on Thursday sharply criticized Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s recent remarks urging the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to monitor Islamabad’s nuclear weapons, calling them a sign of “sheer ignorance” and “deep insecurity.”
Singh, during a visit to Srinagar’s Badami Bagh Cantonment following Operation Sindoor, questioned the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal and advocated for international supervision by the IAEA. “The whole world has seen how irresponsibly Pakistan has threatened India… I believe Pakistan’s nuclear weapons should be taken under IAEA supervision,” Singh said while addressing Indian soldiers.
Reacting strongly, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning Singh’s comments. “These irresponsible remarks reveal his profound insecurity and frustration regarding Pakistan’s effective defence and deterrence against Indian aggression,” it said, adding that Pakistan’s conventional and strategic capabilities are sufficient to deter India without engaging in what it described as “nuclear blackmail.”
The IAEA, when contacted by news agency ANI, confirmed that there had been no radiation leaks or incidents at nuclear facilities in Pakistan. However, it did not comment directly on Singh’s suggestion for oversight.
The exchange comes just days after heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, with Singh’s visit aimed at reviewing security along the Line of Control post-India’s targeted strikes against terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Singh also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian armed forces for their role in Operation Sindoor, and commended the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their resilience and unity in the face of cross-border terrorism.
The IAEA is the UN’s primary body overseeing global nuclear safety, promoting the peaceful use of nuclear technology, and ensuring non-proliferation. It currently does not have authority to enforce oversight of a nation’s nuclear arsenal without that country’s consent or a UN Security Council mandate.
