India Urges IAEA Oversight of Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons Amid Tensions
| 2025-05-15
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Addressed the brave soldiers of the Indian Army at Badami Bagh Cantt, Srinagar.
India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called on the IAEA to monitor Pakistan's nuclear weapons, citing concerns over safety and responsible handling.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has questioned the safety of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, urging international oversight by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) following heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
India has called for the nuclear weapons of Pakistan to be placed under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), raising international concerns over the security of atomic arms in the South Asian region.
Speaking to Indian soldiers in the city of Srinagar in the disputed Kashmir region, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “I wanted to raise this question for the world: are nuclear weapons safe in the hands of a rogue and irresponsible nation?”
He added, “I believe that Pakistan’s atomic weapons should be brought under the surveillance of the IAEA. I want to say this very clearly.”
The comments come just days after a significant military escalation between India and Pakistan, the worst since the Kargil conflict of 1999. Last week, both countries exchanged air and drone strikes following what India described as an attack on its soldiers in Kashmir by militants backed by Islamabad—a claim Pakistan has denied.
There has been no immediate response from the Pakistani government to Singh’s remarks. However, in recent statements, Pakistani officials have reiterated that nuclear weapons were not being considered in the current conflict. Pakistan’s defence ministry previously dismissed speculation that its National Command Authority, which oversees nuclear strategy, was scheduled to meet, suggesting such reports were inaccurate.
The recent flare-up raised concerns globally about the stability of nuclear deterrence in South Asia. While the situation de-escalated following a mutual ceasefire agreement, the rhetoric between the two sides remains tense.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the issue earlier this week, stated that India would not hesitate to strike cross-border terrorist infrastructure again if provoked, adding that the country would not yield to what he called "nuclear blackmail" from Pakistan.
Contrasting Doctrines
India and Pakistan both possess sizeable nuclear arsenals, with India estimated to have around 180 warheads and Pakistan approximately 170 as of 2025, according to independent assessments.
India and Pakistan both possess sizeable nuclear arsenals, with India estimated to have around 180 warheads and Pakistan approximately 170 as of 2025, according to independent assessments.
India follows a declared “No First Use” policy, pledging to employ nuclear weapons only in retaliation to a nuclear attack. Its nuclear doctrine emphasises credible minimum deterrence and includes delivery systems by land, air, and sea.
In contrast, Pakistan does not adhere to a no-first-use doctrine. Instead, it follows a strategy known as “Full Spectrum Deterrence”, which allows for the possibility of first use, including tactical nuclear weapons, to counterbalance India's conventional military superiority.
India's nuclear command is firmly under civilian control through the Nuclear Command Authority. In Pakistan, control lies with the National Command Authority, which includes both military and civilian leadership.
What is the IAEA?
The International Atomic Energy Agency, based in Vienna, Austria, is an autonomous organisation within the United Nations framework. Established in 1957, the IAEA is tasked with promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy and preventing its military application, including the development and spread of nuclear weapons.
The International Atomic Energy Agency, based in Vienna, Austria, is an autonomous organisation within the United Nations framework. Established in 1957, the IAEA is tasked with promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy and preventing its military application, including the development and spread of nuclear weapons.
The agency implements safeguards agreements with over 180 member states to monitor nuclear facilities and materials. These safeguards are designed to verify that civilian nuclear programmes are not diverted for military use.
In 2005, the IAEA was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation and promote safe and peaceful nuclear technology.
While the IAEA monitors declared civilian nuclear facilities in several countries, it does not have a mandate to supervise military nuclear programmes unless the respective country agrees to voluntary inspections or the UN Security Council issues a binding resolution.
Regional Implications
India and Pakistan have fought three wars since gaining independence in 1947, two of which centred around the Himalayan region of Kashmir. The territory remains a flashpoint between the two nations, which both claim in full but govern in part.
India and Pakistan have fought three wars since gaining independence in 1947, two of which centred around the Himalayan region of Kashmir. The territory remains a flashpoint between the two nations, which both claim in full but govern in part.
The latest military standoff has highlighted once again the volatility of South Asia, widely regarded as one of the world’s most dangerous nuclear flashpoints. Analysts warn that even limited conventional conflicts between India and Pakistan carry the risk of rapid escalation.
Calls for international monitoring, such as the one voiced by Rajnath Singh, underscore growing unease about the transparency and command of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. However, any movement on this front would require cooperation from Pakistan and international consensus, which remains uncertain amid mutual distrust and complex geopolitical dynamics.
As of now, there is no indication that Pakistan is willing to allow international oversight of its nuclear facilities. The IAEA has not commented on Singh’s proposal.
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