New Delhi: India has responded to recent remarks by United States President Donald Trump, who named Pakistan among the countries conducting nuclear tests while defending his administration’s plans to resume American nuclear weapons testing after more than thirty years. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the comments align with New Delhi’s long standing concerns regarding Islamabad’s nuclear conduct.
According to the ministry, Pakistan’s record in the nuclear domain is marked by covert operations, violations of export controls, and reliance on hidden networks. The spokesperson noted that India has consistently highlighted these issues before the international community, including the activities of AQ Khan, the key figure behind Pakistan’s nuclear weapons programme who passed away in 2021. Khan was widely known for building an extensive global network that supplied nuclear and missile technologies, with reported links to countries such as North Korea and Iran.
The ministry described Pakistan’s approach as a pattern shaped by decades of smuggling and proliferation. It stated that these actions have contributed to a legacy of security concerns in the region and beyond. New Delhi said it has taken note of President Trump’s comments in this context.
Trump’s remarks came as he sought to justify the decision to restart nuclear testing in the United States, arguing that such trials are necessary to ensure the continued reliability of the country’s nuclear arsenal. His comments were made shortly before a scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
India’s response underscores its broader position on Pakistan’s nuclear activities and the risks associated with proliferation networks. The statement also reflects ongoing global scrutiny of nuclear programmes at a time when geopolitical tensions and strategic competition are intensifying.
