India Rebukes Pakistan Over Nuclear Concerns After US Flags Missile Threat

India has strongly criticised Pakistan’s nuclear programme following fresh warnings from the United States about Islamabad’s expanding missile capabilities and potential global security risks.

The reaction comes after US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard, during testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, identified Pakistan among key nuclear threats alongside Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran. She cautioned that Pakistan’s development of long-range ballistic missiles could eventually include intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of reaching the United States.

According to the US Annual Threat Assessment for 2026, the number of global missile systems is expected to surge dramatically—from around 3,000 today to nearly 16,000 by 2035—raising alarm over rapidly evolving strategic threats.

Responding to these remarks, India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal pointed to Pakistan’s past record of clandestine nuclear proliferation, stating that such a history continues to pose a risk not only regionally but globally. New Delhi has consistently maintained that Islamabad’s nuclear activities contribute to instability and require close international scrutiny.

Pakistan, however, has defended its nuclear doctrine. Former foreign minister Jalil Abbas Jilani reiterated that the country’s arsenal is based on the principle of “credible minimum deterrence” and is not intended for aggressive or expansionist use.

Despite these assurances, concerns persist due to historical allegations. Reports and testimonies, including those from former US intelligence officials, have suggested that Pakistan’s nuclear programme once extended beyond deterrence, with claims of technology sharing ambitions in the past.

The latest exchange unfolds against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions, particularly following recent airstrikes in Kabul attributed to Pakistan, which drew strong condemnation from India. The incident has further strained relations and raised concerns about escalation in an already volatile region.

The US assessment also warned that India-Pakistan relations remain vulnerable to potential nuclear conflict, citing their history of confrontations. While diplomatic interventions have helped ease tensions in the past, both nations continue to advance their nuclear delivery systems, adding to the complexity of regional security dynamics.