In a recent press briefing, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller was questioned about the alarming incidents of nuclear material theft and illegal sales in India, and Pakistan’s subsequent request for a United Nations investigation. Miller acknowledged Pakistan’s concerns raised at the UN Security Council and reiterated the U.S.’s commitment to tracking, preparing, and implementing effective policy responses to nuclear proliferation risks. This issue is not new, but it is certainly gaining urgency. India has long sought membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), a status symbol for a responsible nuclear power. However, the country’s repeated security lapses around its nuclear program suggest otherwise. Pakistan has been flagging these concerns for years, yet powerful global actors such as the United States and the United Nations have consistently turned a blind eye.
Even the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has remained conspicuously silent, raising troubling questions about the double standards at play when it comes to nuclear security and accountability. Last week, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Munir Akram, called on the Security Council to investigate these incidents, revealing that nuclear material worth $100 million had been seized this year alone. Among the highly radioactive and toxic materials found was Californium, illegally possessed by a group in India. This was not an isolated case—three similar incidents of Californium theft were reported in 2021 as well. Akram’s message was clear: the UN must take immediate steps to prevent these nuclear materials from falling into the wrong hands. The consequences of inaction could be catastrophic, not just for South Asia but for global security.
What makes this even more concerning is that India’s nuclear security shortcomings have been corroborated by independent American think tanks. The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School, in a report, pointed out India’s failure to meet the commitments made under its nuclear agreements with the U.S., leading to growing risks. During a 2008 visit, U.S. officials deemed the security measures at India’s nuclear research facilities “grossly inadequate.” Yet, no substantive action has been taken to address these grave lapses. The selective silence on India’s nuclear mismanagement cannot continue. India’s pursuit of NSG membership seems to overshadow the glaring security failures that, under normal circumstances, should disqualify it from such a status. If India is to be treated as a responsible nuclear power, it must first prove that its nuclear assets are secure.
The potential consequences of ignoring these security breaches are enormous. A single incident of radioactive material falling into the wrong hands could trigger not only regional but global repercussions. In an era of heightened concerns about nuclear terrorism, the international community cannot afford to ignore such risks. UN agencies, the IAEA, and powerful nations like the United States must stop turning a blind eye to India’s nuclear security flaws. Pakistan’s warnings are not unfounded; they reflect a legitimate concern that requires immediate, concerted global action. A failure to act decisively now may lead to a much greater crisis in the future, one that could have been prevented through timely intervention.
The international community, often quick to sanction nations like Iran or North Korea over their nuclear ambitions, must hold India to the same standards. The time for double standards is over. Nuclear safety is a global concern, and no country, regardless of its political or economic standing, should be allowed to bypass accountability when the stakes are this high. As the debate continues, the Security Council must urgently address Pakistan’s calls for an investigation. The world cannot afford to wait until another incident pushes the limits of what can be contained. The integrity of international nuclear oversight is at stake, and it is time to ensure that no nation is above scrutiny when it comes to the world’s most dangerous materials.
