Pakistan strongly condemned India’s defence minister Rajnath Singh’s call for international monitoring of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, calling the remarks irresponsible and misleading. The Foreign Office pointed to multiple incidents of nuclear material theft and trafficking in India, questioning New Delhi’s record on nuclear security.
The Foreign Office said Singh’s comments reflect India’s insecurity over Pakistan’s conventional defence capabilities, which Pakistan says effectively deter Indian aggression without relying on nuclear threats. It also criticized Singh’s misunderstanding of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) mandate, noting that India itself faces repeated issues with stolen radioactive substances, including the illicit possession of Californium, a highly radioactive material.
Recalling recent incidents, Pakistan urged a thorough investigation into these thefts and called on India to secure its nuclear facilities. The Foreign Office accused India of fixating on Pakistan’s nuclear deterrence despite its own challenges and dismissed Indian media reports claiming damage to Pakistani nuclear sites during recent clashes. The IAEA officially denied any radiation leaks from Pakistan’s facilities.
Meanwhile, Pakistan and India agreed to extend their ceasefire until May 18 following talks between their military directors general. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed the ceasefire extension and said political dialogue is planned after May 18 to resolve issues on the basis of equality without accepting superiority.
Dar noted that military communication has been key to maintaining the truce since it was first agreed on May 10. Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch briefed Islamabad’s diplomatic missions on the progress of ceasefire implementation and highlighted the exchange of personnel between Pakistan Rangers and the Indian Border Security Force as a goodwill gesture.
Baloch emphasized Pakistan’s preference for peaceful coexistence, dialogue, and respect for sovereignty, rejecting India’s attempts to impose a “new normal” on bilateral relations. Pakistan thanked friendly countries for their constructive role in facilitating the ceasefire amid ongoing tensions.
