Rajnath Urges IAEA to Monitor Pakistan’s Nuclear Arsenal
In a sharp message aimed at the international community, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to step in and monitor Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, citing escalating concerns about global security and potential nuclear mishandling. Speaking at the third edition of the biannual Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD), Singh emphasized that Pakistan’s history of state-sponsored terrorism, coupled with its nuclear capabilities, makes international oversight not just advisable but essential.
“Given its state policy of using terrorism as a tool against India and its possession of nuclear weapons, there is a growing need for the IAEA to take responsibility of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal,” he stated bluntly. The comment comes amidst growing tensions in the subcontinent and a renewed global focus on nuclear security.
The Defence Minister’s appeal adds a new layer of urgency to India’s longstanding apprehensions about Pakistan’s nuclear posture, especially in light of recent geopolitical developments. His statement is particularly significant as it places Pakistan’s nuclear assets in the context of broader Indo-Pacific stability, a region increasingly vulnerable to strategic disruptions.
Pakistan Nuclear Threat
India has frequently accused its neighbor of destabilizing South Asia through both direct and proxy conflict, but this is the first time a high-ranking official has directly asked the IAEA to take charge of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons. The concern is not just about conventional warfare but the potential risks posed by Pakistan’s erratic internal political structure and the possibility of nuclear proliferation to rogue elements or terror networks.
IAEA Intervention Demanded
While the IAEA typically deals with civilian nuclear energy programs and compliance under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Singh’s request seeks a much more hands-on role, essentially arguing for global nuclear watchdog oversight of a nuclear-armed state. This would be an unprecedented move and could generate considerable international debate, especially since Pakistan is not a signatory to the NPT.
Indo-Pacific Security Concerns
Singh also tied the issue into the broader Indo-Pacific landscape, warning that regional security cannot be ensured unless nuclear weapons in volatile nations like Pakistan are subject to international scrutiny. This aligns with India’s evolving security doctrine, which increasingly integrates maritime and continental threats under a single strategic framework.
The timing of this call is critical, as India has recently been strengthening its defense ties with other Indo-Pacific powers such as the United States, Japan, and Australia. By raising the Pakistan nuclear issue on a prominent multilateral platform, Singh has effectively internationalized a matter that India has long raised bilaterally and regionally.
Whether the IAEA responds remains to be seen, but the message from New Delhi is clear: unchecked nuclear weapons in a terror-affiliated state pose a threat not just to India but to global stability.
