MEA notes Trump’s claim that Pakistan tested nuclear weapons, citing past smuggling, AQ Khan network and export-control breaches. India says international attention is warranted.
India Calls for Global Accountability and UN Action
India on Friday publicly responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s remark alleging secret nuclear-weapons testing by Pakistan, saying that “clandestine and illegal nuclear activities” are consistent with Islamabad’s past record. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the comment at the regular weekly briefing, saying New Delhi has long drawn international attention to concerns over proliferation linked to Pakistan.
Jaiswal cited a string of historical issues — from smuggling and export-control violations to secret partnerships and the notorious AQ Khan network — as part of the wider context that makes Trump’s observation noteworthy. He stressed that these were not new allegations for India but fit into a pattern Washington’s comment highlighted. The MEA made clear that India has repeatedly flagged these aspects in international forums.
The MEA statement stopped short of endorsing any particular technical finding about a fresh test, instead underscoring the importance of international vigilance and non-proliferation norms. New Delhi’s approach, as expressed by the spokesperson, is to use established multilateral mechanisms and export-control frameworks to press for transparency and accountability. Officials said they had “taken note” of the U.S. comment and would continue to press the issue diplomatically.
