India and Pakistan Exchange Accusations Over Nuclear Arsenal

India and Pakistan have traded accusations over the management of their nuclear arsenals, with India calling for international oversight of Pakistan’s nuclear program and Pakistan retaliating by urging investigation into alleged nuclear material theft and illicit trafficking in India.

Escalating Tensions
The tensions between the two nations come after a recent military confrontation that sparked global concerns of a potential full-blown war. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh questioned the safety of nuclear weapons in the hands of what he termed a “rogue and irresponsible nation,” referring to Pakistan. “I wanted to raise this question for the world: are nuclear weapons safe in the hands of a rogue and irresponsible nation?” Singh told troops at a base in Srinagar. “I believe that Pakistan’s atomic weapons should be brought under the surveillance of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency),” he added.

Pakistan’s Counteraccusations
Pakistan swiftly responded, with its foreign minister calling for the IAEA to investigate alleged “repeated theft and illicit trafficking incidents involving nuclear and radioactive material in India”. “These incidents also suggest the existence of a black market for sensitive, dual-use materials inside India,” the statement added.

Nuclear Capabilities and Conflict History
Both India and Pakistan are nuclear powers with a history of conflict, particularly over the disputed region of Kashmir. Pakistan has developed short- and intermediate-range nuclear missiles capable of carrying warheads, while India has developed nuclear weapons since the 1990s. The recent conflict began when India launched strikes against alleged “terrorist camps” in Pakistan, following an April attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people. Pakistan denied backing the militants, and four days of intense exchanges left nearly 70 people dead on both sides.

Calls for Restraint
Global leaders have urged restraint from the arch-enemies, with US President Donald Trump announcing a surprise truce. Pakistani military spokesman Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry emphasized the dangers of escalating conflict between “rival nuclear powers”, stating that “that conflict can lead to the peril of 1.6 billion people, so in reality there is no space for war between India and Pakistan”. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that “India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail”.

Ongoing Conflict and Diplomatic Efforts
Despite the ceasefire, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed concerns over “provocative and inflammatory remarks by Indian leadership” to UN chief Antonio Guterres, highlighting the fragile regional peace. Militant operations have increased in Indian-administered Kashmir since 2019, when Modi’s government revoked the region’s autonomy. The dispute over Kashmir remains a core issue, with both nations claiming the territory in full.