• India's Defence Minister calls for UN oversight of Pakistan's nuclear weapons.
• Pakistan urges investigation into alleged nuclear material theft in India.
• Recent military conflict escalated tensions between the two nuclear powers.

Following a recent military conflict, India has called for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to monitor Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh questioning the safety of these weapons. Singh addressed troops in Srinagar, stating, "Are nuclear weapons safe in the hands of such an irresponsible and rogue nation?" He asserted that Pakistan's nuclear weapons should come under the supervision of the IAEA due to its perceived instability, according to SCMP and Channel News Asia.

In response, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar rejected Singh's claims and urged for an investigation of what he described as a "nuclear black market" and theft incidents related to radioactive materials in India. He stated, "If anything, the IAEA and the international community should be worried about the repeated theft and illicit trafficking incidents involving nuclear and radioactive material in India," reflecting concerns over safety lapses in India's nuclear facilities, as reported by Dawn and Al Jazeera.

The backdrop to these accusations is a recent wave of violence that left nearly 70 dead after India's military strikes against what it termed "terrorist camps" in Pakistan. Pakistan denied any involvement in the April attack which led to these strikes, resulting in a rapid escalation of hostilities. Both countries have engaged in missile and drone exchanges, leading to fears of a nuclear confrontation, according to TRT Global and Reuters.

Amidst rising tensions, India has denied targeting Pakistan's nuclear installations, emphasizing that its military actions were against terrorist entities. Singh's remarks reflect heightened anxiety in India regarding Pakistan's nuclear capabilities, while Pakistani officials highlight India's nuclear security challenges as justification for their responses. "The comments of India’s Defence Minister also show his sheer ignorance of the mandate and responsibilities of a specialised agency of the United Nations like the IAEA,” stated the Pakistani Foreign Office, according to Channel News Asia.

As the conflict simmers, both countries released statements condemning each other's military capabilities and intentions. India plans to resume strikes if its national security is threatened, with Prime Minister Modi declaring, “India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail." Meanwhile, Pakistan asserts its readiness to respond to any perceived aggression, confirming its conventional military capabilities are sufficient for deterrence, as highlighted in statements from TRT Global and Dawn.