India Condemns Pakistan's Nuclear History Amidst Trump's Testing Claims

India Responds to Nuclear Testing Allegations

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly condemned Pakistan's nuclear activities, asserting that alleged clandestine and illegal actions are consistent with Islamabad's historical record of proliferation. The statement, delivered by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday, November 7, 2025, came in direct response to claims made by US President Donald Trump.

President Trump, during a CBS News '60 Minutes' interview aired on Sunday, November 2, 2025, alleged that Pakistan, alongside Russia, China, and North Korea, was secretly conducting nuclear weapons tests. Trump suggested these tests were occurring 'way underground, where people don't know what's happening. You just feel a little vibration.'

Decades-Long Record of Proliferation Cited

In his remarks, spokesperson Jaiswal emphasized that Pakistan's purported activities align with its 'decades-long record of proliferation and deception.' India highlighted a pattern of illicit conduct, specifically mentioning:

• Smuggling
• Export control violations
• Secret partnerships
• The infamous A.Q. Khan network
• Further proliferation

New Delhi has consistently drawn the attention of the international community to these concerns.

The Shadow of the A.Q. Khan Network

The reference to the A.Q. Khan network brings to light a significant chapter in nuclear proliferation history. Abdul Qadeer Khan, often regarded as the 'father of Pakistan's nuclear weapons program,' was arrested on January 31, 2004, for his central role in the black market sale of nuclear technology and equipment. His network operated throughout the 1980s and 1990s, establishing connections with middlemen and businesses in over 20 countries. Khan confessed to transferring sensitive nuclear technology to nations including Iran, North Korea, and Libya. This illicit network was instrumental in providing designs for centrifuges and various components, contributing to Pakistan's own nuclear program.

Pakistan Rejects Allegations, Cites Moratorium

In response to India's statements and Trump's claims, Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) Spokesman Tahir Andrabi dismissed the allegations as 'baseless and malicious.' Pakistan affirmed that its last nuclear tests were conducted in May 1998, and that it has since maintained a 'unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing.' While not a signatory to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), Pakistan states it supports its objectives. Andrabi further accused India of 'distorting facts and misrepresenting' President Trump's remarks. Pakistan also raised concerns about alleged incidents of theft and illegal trafficking of nuclear material within India, suggesting the presence of a 'thriving nuclear black market' there.