Indian Defence Minister’s Ignorance of IAEA Mandate

The Indian Defense Minister, in his recent statement, has publicly exhibited sheer ignorance of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) mandate. He urged that the IAEA should take Pakistan’s nuclear weapons under its supervision, failing to grasp that the IAEA mandate only regulates peaceful nuclear programs, not military facilities, of its members. Pakistan’s Foreign Office criticized Singh’s poor understanding of international nuclear oversight mechanisms, stating his comments reveal sheer “ignorance of the mandate and responsibilities” of a specialized UN Agency like the IAEA.

IAEA regulates only peaceful nuclear activities, not military programs. Its mandate focuses on safe, secure, and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology. It only does so by the consent of its members under the agreements/protocols signed by the members. IAEA plays the key role of regulator through inspections and verifications. The IAEA statute mandates promoting peaceful nuclear uses, not disarmament or seizure of military programs. The minister gravely misunderstands non-proliferation frameworks and global nuclear governance.

Contrary to the minister’s limited knowledge, Pakistan is the only nuclear-armed country outside the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which makes a clear distinction between a peaceful nuclear program and its military program. The peaceful nuclear program remains under various IAEA safeguards/protocols, duly by the consent of the state of Pakistan, while the military program is completely free from foreign interference, with no state or international organization having any jurisdiction over its weapons program. Additionally, it has established state-of-the-art nuclear facilities and safety and security standards, and has established its credibility in the areas of nuclear safety and security under the Pakistan Center of Excellence for Nuclear Security (PCENS) by imparting training to local and international participants. Pakistan shares its expertise with other countries from around the world on nuclear safety and security related to peaceful uses of nuclear energy and benefits from the best practices offered by other friendly countries. On a visit to Pakistan in 2018, the IAEA’s Director General, Yukio Amano, recognized that Pakistan’s nuclear safety and security regime was exemplary. He particularly remarked that there has not been a single incident of theft of nuclear material or nuclear security lapse in Pakistan’s nuclear program. Similarly, during a visit to Pakistan in 2023, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi had lauded Pakistan’s “world-class and impeccable” nuclear safety record, due to its consistent record on improving nuclear safety and security as per international standards and its contribution toward global non-proliferation efforts under the UN resolutions and related non-proliferation regimes. Additionally, in another visit to Pakistan in February 2025, Grossi said that Pakistan’s nuclear safety and security record for six decades makes the country’s peaceful nuclear programme a success story.

The alarming and irresponsible behavior of the defense minister overseeing India’s nuclear arsenal. The Indian defense minister is a member of the Nuclear Command Authority (NCA) that oversees India’s nuclear arsenal.  His lack of professionalism reveals ignorance of global nuclear protocols and nuclear governance, which is a basic prerequisite for his position. His reckless rhetoric increases regional tensions and nuclear risks. It raises a question about the credibility of India’s reputation as a so-called responsible or normal nuclear power, revealing a poor learning of global security matters.

A kind suggestion: Minister, your enthusiasm for regional security is noted. However, wisdom lies in understanding the distinction between rhetoric and responsibility. A part of the suggestion is to revisit the IAEA’s founding statute (article II), the NPT, and other international frameworks and tenets of diplomatic discourse. Familiarity with these principles will enhance India’s standing and your stature in the international community. There is a dire need for restraint in public statements on serious security matters in the region, lest India’s voice be diminished by misinformed zeal.

India is the only country that maintains an ambiguous classification of its nuclear power plants as Civilian Safeguarded, Civilian Un-safeguarded, and Military Facilities. Its nuclear program embeds various loose ends in terms of safety and security, with grave concerns over the repeated uranium theft, radiological material smuggling, vulnerable facility security, and links to global criminal organizations, posing a risk of radiological terrorism in the region. With a poorer nuclear safety and security record, repeated breaches and vulnerabilities at power plants, the disturbing pattern suggests India itself could be the region’s greatest nuclear security risk.

The minister’s reckless rhetoric has subjected India’s nuclear command to global ridicule and concern. His staggering ignorance of the IAEA mandate raises a question: Did he miss briefings, or is he simply choosing to ignore them? The normalization of recklessness in high offices is dangerously holding the regional peace hostage to domestic politics. India’s motive behind creating a manufactured crisis becomes evident:  it seems to be a false flag operation used as a dubious justification for retaliation, merely serving as a pretext for aggression against Pakistan. The minister appears to be trying to divert the world’s attention from recent tensions and the government’s humiliation, while silencing domestic critics of the regime.

Yet, he lectures others on responsibility, which embodies his very recklessness, that he falsely accuses others of. It appears that India’s nuclear arsenal is only slightly safer than his grasp of International law. Perhaps, a briefing book might be better than a battle cry. The international community should urge responsible leaders in India to reclaim control of nuclear policy from such irresponsible hands. The world needs assurance that India’s nuclear arsenal is managed by competence, not bombast. India deserves more informed leadership on nuclear issues, and the world expects it.