‘Are nukes safe with irresponsible and rogue nation like Pakistan?’: Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh demands global monitoring

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday sought a global monitoring of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons questioning how safe the nukes are with the “irresponsible” and “rogue” nation.

Singh visited Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday for the first time since the Indian Armed Forces conducted Operation Sindoor to destroy the terrorists camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists.

In the course of his address to the armed forces, the Defence Minister said, “We snubbed Pakistan’s nuclear blackmail and this makes India’s firm stand against terrorism evident. The entire world has seen how Pakistan irresponsibly made atomic threats to India.

“From the land of Srinagar, I ask the entire world whether nukes are safe with an irresponsible and rogue nation like Pakistan? Pakistan’s atomic weapons should come under international monitoring.”

Singh reviewed the overall security and the operation readiness of the Armed Forces.

He also inspected the Pakistani shells which were dropped on the border last week.

On Operation Sindoor, Singh said, ” Operation Sindoor is the biggest action taken by India against terrorism in history. For the last thirty-five to forty years, India has been facing terrorism being carried out from across the border. Today India has made it clear to the whole world that we can go to any extent against terrorism.”

“By carrying out the terrorist incident in Pahalgam, an attempt was made to hurt India’s forehead, an attempt was made to break India’s social unity. They attacked India’s forehead, we have inflicted wounds on their chest. The only way to cure Pakistan’s wounds is to stop giving shelter to anti-India and terrorist organizations, and not allow its land to be used against India.”

‘Nuclear blackmailing will not be tolerated’: Modi’s clear message

In a bold address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this week sent out a loud message against terrorism and “terror-backing state” Pakistan, stating that India will not tolerate any such misadventure or give in to nuclear blackmailing, and instead deliver a befitting reply in its own terms.

Reiterating that India has zero tolerance against terrorism, Modi said, “Our fight against terrorism is not over. We have just paused our action for now and we will measure every move taken by Pakistan to deal with them in the future.”

“Operation Sindoor has scripted a new normal that India will give a befitting reply to terrorism if we are attacked. We will strike at those places from where terrorism originates,” he said.

“Secondly, we will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail. Attack on India will be met with a befitting reply, and the response will be on our terms. Thirdly, we will not see terrorism and state-sponsored terrorism as different. We will take action against anyone backing terrorism. Operation Sindoor has set a new benchmark,” the PM said.

Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor was a fierce military operation launched by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on May 7, in response to the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 tourists who were enjoying their vacation at Baisaran Valley, which is referred to as India’s Switzerland.

The operation aimed to dismantle terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

After the Pakistan Army again targeted Indian civilians and resorted to cross-border firing, the Indian Armed Forces retaliated, destroying defence systems of the hostile neighbour in a strong retaliation.

On Pakistan’s appeal, India responded with a ceasefire on May 10 but Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned of fresh retaliation if Islamabad goes astray.