Srinagar: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday pitched to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to take Pakistan's nuclear power under its control, raising questions over its safety in the hands of a "rogue" and "irresponsible nation".
“I ask the entire world if nuclear weapons are safe in the hands of such an irresponsible and rogue nation. I believe that Pakistan's nuclear weapons should be taken under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency," he said while addressing Indian Army soldiers at the Valley’s strategic 15 Corps headquarters here.
The Agency works with its member states and multiple partners worldwide to promote the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies. Singh arrived in Kashmir this morning and was flanked by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to meet soldiers at Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar. This is the first high-profile visit following Operation Sindoor targeting nine terror hubs, including Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Toiba, inside Pakistan last month.
The pitch for supervision of the IAEA comes following President Donald Trump’s claim of stopping a "bad nuclear war" between India and Pakistan.
"The strength of India's resolve against terrorism today is evident from the fact that we have not even cared about their nuclear blackmail. The whole world has seen how Pakistan has irresponsibly issued nuclear threats to India multiple times," Singh said.
He said that the Pahalgam terror attack was an attempt to strike a blow to India’s pride to break social cohesion but India has "inflicted wounds on their chest".
"The remedy for Pakistan’s wounds lies in stopping the sheltering of anti-India and terrorist organisations and ensuring that its soil is not used against India," the Defence Minister said. He said that Operation Sindoor has sent out a message to terrorists in Pakistan that they are no longer safe anywhere.
"They are now in the crosshairs of the Indian armed forces. The world knows our forces are precise and once they lock in a target, we leave it to the enemy to count the damage," said Singh, hailing the armed forces for the successful operation.
"Besides being the Defence Minister, I am here as a messenger too. I am here with the best wishes, prayers and thankfulness of the entire country. In a way, I have come to you as a postman and brought to you the message of the entire world - that we are proud of our Armed Forces," Singh added.
He also hailed the people of Jammu and Kashmir for expressing their anger against Pakistan and terrorists over the Pahalgam terror attack. Singh said that Pakistan will never forget the damage caused by the armed forces to them by destroying their posts on the borders.
"I am here to feel that energy which destroyed the enemies. The manner in which you destroyed Pakistani chowkis and bunkers across the border, I think the enemy will never be able to forget it," he added.
