New Delhi – India accused Pakistan on Tuesday of carrying out clandestine nuclear activities that, New Delhi says, are consistent with Islamabad’s historical behaviour on sensitive weapons programs. The charge, made by a senior Indian foreign ministry official, raises fresh concerns about nuclear transparency in South Asia and could complicate already fraught regional diplomacy.
India’s statement, issued after a routine security briefing, said intelligence and open-source indicators point to covert work on nuclear-related infrastructure and procurement networks. “These activities mirror past patterns of concealment and opaque development,” the official said, adding that the international community should take note and press for clarity. No technical details or locations were disclosed.
Pakistan rejected the allegations and called for caution against politicizing intelligence. A Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman dismissed the claims as “unfounded” and said Islamabad remains committed to its declared nuclear doctrine of minimum credible deterrence. “We urge restraint and a fact-based dialogue rather than headline-driven accusations,” the spokesman said.
Analysts say the exchange reflects deeper strategic mistrust. South Asia has long been a region where nuclear ambiguity compounds conventional tensions. “Accusations of clandestine activity, even if not conclusive, widen the gap between the two militaries and reduce avenues for confidence building,” said a security expert based in Delhi.
The United States and other Western capitals urged both sides to avoid escalatory rhetoric and to resolve concerns through established diplomatic and multilateral channels. Washington emphasized the importance of transparency, non-proliferation commitments, and mechanisms that limit the chance of miscalculation.
Regional diplomats expressed worry that the dispute could spill into wider forums, affecting cooperation on counterterrorism and trade. Domestic politics may also harden positions, with opposition parties on both sides likely to use the issue for political advantage.
India says it will share evidence through appropriate channels and expects international scrutiny. Pakistan says any probe must respect its sovereignty. For now, the charges add a new, dangerous flashpoint to a bilateral relationship already marked by deep suspicion and occasional violence. Observers warn that without concrete steps toward verification and dialogue, such allegations risk undermining regional stability.