India's nuclear theft: Pakistan calls on IAEA to investigate

Pakistan has expressed deep concern over the theft of nuclear and radioactive materials inside India and has called on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to conduct a full investigation into the matter.

Pakistan, in an official statement on Thursday, called on the IAEA to investigate India's weaknesses in nuclear security, the Pakistani news outlet The Dawn reported on Friday (May 16). The country's Foreign Ministry said that repeated incidents of nuclear and radioactive material theft have raised serious questions about India's security system.

The statement said, "The series of nuclear thefts and black marketing of radioactive materials in India are not only posing a threat to India's internal security, but also to the entire region and international peace. The international community and the IAEA should take urgent action in this regard."

This response came in response to recent comments by Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. He said in a speech to the troops in Srinagar, “Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal should be taken under the supervision of the IAEA.”

Pakistan has strongly rejected Rajnath’s comments. According to them, it reflects India’s insecurity and frustration with Pakistan’s defense capabilities. Pakistan claims that it has sufficient military capabilities to repel aggression.

Pakistan also said that the IAEA and the international community should examine India’s nuclear security framework. They mentioned that in 2023, five people were arrested in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, with a radioactive device, which was allegedly stolen from India’s Bhabha Atomic Research Center. In addition, a highly radioactive substance called californium was recovered, which has an international market value of more than $ 100 million.

Pakistan claims that at least three cases of californium smuggling took place in 2021 as well. They claim that these incidents indicate weak security at India's nuclear facilities and the existence of a black market in radioactive materials.

It is worth noting that while India's civilian nuclear facilities are under IAEA surveillance under a 2008 agreement, its strategic nuclear programs are outside this oversight.

Analysts believe that these mutual accusations and counter-reactions are further increasing security risks in South Asia in the current tense nuclear situation.