In a strong and audible message to its eastern counterpart, Pakistan indicated on Thursday that its conventional prowess is enough to deter India without going into self-imposed “nuclear blackmail” that besets New Delhi.
The nuclear-armed country’s reaction was prompted after Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh indicated that the nuclear arsenal of Pakistan must come under the inspection of the UN’s nuclear authority.
“Such irresponsible statements reflect his deep insecurity and frustration over Pakistan’s successful defence and deterrence against Indian aggression by conventional means,” Foreign Office spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan said in a statement.
The nuclear-capable rivals concluded their worst military confrontation in almost three decades with a ceasefire announcement on Saturday. The fighting raised global alarms that it might escalate to an all-out war.
The conflict escalated last Wednesday after India struck targets in what it called “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistan.
Pakistan responded instantaneously with shelling by heavy artillery and there was a standoff for four days between the rival South Asian countries.
Concerns Over Nuclear Security in India
In his statement, Ambassador Shafqat explained that the Indian defence minister’s words also demonstrated his utter lack of knowledge of the mandate and mission of a special agency of the United Nations like the IAEA.
If anything, he said, the IAEA and the global community ought to be concerned about the consistent theft and illegal trafficking of nuclear and radioactive material in India.
Last year, authorities arrested five people carrying a radioactive device allegedly stolen from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Dehradun, India.
Later, officials found a group in unlawful possession of Californium, an extremely radioactive and toxic material worth $100 million. Authorities also reported three cases of Californium theft in 2021.
These frequent incidents question the steps taken by New Delhi for the safety and security of nuclear and other radioactive materials, the spokesperson added.
“These incidents also indicate the presence of a black market for sensitive, dual-use materials within India,” he stated.
Pakistan, Ambassador Shafqat added, calls for a proper investigation of these incidents and appeals to India to secure the safety and security of its nuclear facilities and stockpiles.
