Pakistan has firmly rejected recent remarks by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, asserting that its nuclear deterrence capabilities do not rely on “nuclear blackmail” and are effective even through conventional means.
India’s Concerns Met with Firm Rebuttal
He labeled the comments as “irresponsible,” attributing them to India’s frustration with Pakistan’s proven defensive strength.
“These remarks expose deep insecurity over Pakistan’s conventional capabilities,” Khan stated, emphasizing that Islamabad’s armed forces alone can deter aggression without invoking the nuclear option.
Ceasefire After Escalation
The statement followed a recent ceasefire that ended four days of cross-border fighting—one of the most intense military exchanges between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in three decades. However India had launched strikes in Pakistan, which it claimed were against “terrorist infrastructure,” prompting immediate retaliatory artillery fire from Pakistan.
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Call for Scrutiny of India’s Nuclear Safety
Ambassador Khan went further, criticizing New Delhi’s own track record of nuclear security. He cited repeated incidents of radioactive thefts in India, calling for international scrutiny.
“In 2024, five people were caught with a stolen radioactive device from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre,” Khan noted. He also referenced several incidents involving Californium, a highly toxic substance, that was found in illegal possession within India—valued at over $100 million.
“These cases point to a thriving black market for dual-use nuclear materials inside India,” he warned.
Demands for Accountability
Pakistan urged the international community and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to investigate these troubling developments. The Foreign Office stressed that India must first secure its own nuclear assets before questioning others.
“The world should be more concerned about radioactive trafficking and security lapses in India,” However Khan said. “Pakistan remains a responsible nuclear state and rejects any baseless insinuations to the contrary.”
