Rajnath Singh Sparks Tension with Pakistan Over Nuclear Arsenal
The dispute over nuclear arsenal management and the Kashmir issue continues to drive tensions between India and Pakistan, with both countries showing no signs of backing down. The situation is further complicated by the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and the threat of water wars, making it essential for the international community to intervene and facilitate dialogue between the two nations.
India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has accused Pakistan of mismanaging its nuclear arsenal, suggesting it should be under UN supervision, prompting a strong response from Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which termed the comments as "profound insecurity and frustration".
The exchange comes amidst a recent surge in tensions between the two countries, including cross-border fighting and missile attacks. Pakistan has rejected India's call for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to monitor Islamabad's nuclear programme, instead urging the agency to investigate nuclear material thefts in India. Pakistan's Foreign Office cited multiple incidents of radioactive material theft in India, including the theft of a radioactive device and Californium, a highly radioactive element.
The move is seen as a further escalation of tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, who have been engaged in a diplomatic standoff over the disputed region of Kashmir. India had also announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, which is a binding international agreement between the two countries that regulates the sharing of water resources. Pakistan has warned that any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water will be considered an act of war.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had earlier called for the IAEA to monitor Pakistan's nuclear programme, but Pakistan saw this as an attempt to justify its own nuclear programme. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has offered talks to India for peace, with conditions including the Kashmir issue, while UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has urged de-escalation during a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart.
The situation remains volatile, with both countries engaging in a war of words and refusing to back down. The international community is watching the developments closely, with concerns about the potential consequences of a nuclear conflict between the two neighbours.