On May 15, 2025, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to take control of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, citing concerns over its safety in what he described as an “irresponsible and rogue nation.” This statement followed heightened tensions between India and Pakistan after India’s Operation Sindoor, a military response to a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 civilians.

Singh emphasized that Pakistan’s strategy of nuclear blackmail had not deterred India from taking decisive action against terrorism. He questioned the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons and advocated for their placement under IAEA supervision.

In response, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Singh’s remarks as “irresponsible” and indicative of a “profound insecurity.” The ministry also criticized the Indian Defence Minister’s understanding of the IAEA’s mandate, asserting that the agency’s responsibilities do not extend to overseeing the nuclear arsenals of sovereign nations.

The IAEA, a Vienna-based U.N. watchdog, oversees nuclear programs to ensure their peaceful use. For the IAEA to take control of a state’s nuclear weapons, approval from the United Nations Security Council would be required, highlighting the complexity of such an action.

This development has intensified the already strained relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, with both sides exchanging strong rhetoric and accusations over nuclear weapons management and regional security.

Sources