India and Pakistan traded accusations yesterday over the mismanagement of their nuclear arsenals, just days after a military confrontation between the two countries – their worst in nearly three decades.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was the first to speak out, stating that “Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal should be placed under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).”
During a visit to the headquarters of the armed forces in Srinagar, the largest city in the Indian-administered part of Kashmir, Singh said, “I want to ask the countries of the world: Are nuclear weapons safe when they are in the hands of a reckless and irresponsible state?”
Pakistan responded with a statement from its Foreign Ministry saying, “If there is any cause for concern for the IAEA and the international community, it lies in the repeated incidents of theft and trafficking of nuclear and radioactive materials in India.”
The statement called for a “thorough investigation” into India’s nuclear programme, accusing its neighbour of running a “black market for sensitive dual-use materials.” New Delhi has yet to issue any comment in response.
Last week marked the most intense military clash between the nuclear-armed rivals since the 1999 war. The latest crisis began on April 22 when gunmen opened fire and killed 26 people, mostly Hindus, at a tourist site in Indian Kashmir.
India vowed to retaliate, accusing a jihadist group allegedly supported by Islamabad of carrying out the attack. Pakistan denied any involvement.
On May 6, New Delhi launched missile strikes on Pakistani positions, claiming they were camps housing members of the group it blames for the Pahalgam attack. Pakistan swiftly responded. The confrontation sparked global fears of an all-out war.
After four days of missile, drone, and artillery attacks that killed at least 60 people and displaced thousands on both sides, a ceasefire was announced on Saturday, in a surprise initiative by US President Donald Trump.
Trump praised the move, saying he had prevented a “nuclear war” that could have claimed “millions” of lives.
Yesterday, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned of the “potential collapse of the entire international security system if India or Pakistan were to use nuclear weapons.”
Despite the harsh rhetoric in official statements, both countries have so far abided by the ceasefire. Yesterday, they announced an official extension of the truce until Sunday, according to Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
However, while the situation on the ground remains calm, the two sides continue to escalate their verbal threats.
Yesterday, the Indian foreign minister warned that India would not resume the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan unless the latter ceased its support for “cross-border terrorism.”
Speaking to reporters, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said, “The treaty is suspended... and it will remain so until Pakistan credibly and irreversibly ends cross-border terrorism.”
New Delhi has suspended its participation in the 1960 agreement with Islamabad after the Pahalgam attack.
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