Pak nukes should be under IAEA: Rajnath Singh

Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that Pakistan's nuclear weapons should be taken under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Association and reiterated that the talks with Pakistan will only be held on terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Singh landed in Srinagar on Thursday morning for the first time after Operation Sindoor and addressed a gathering of armed forces at Badami Bagh Cantonment in the city which is also the headquarters of the Chinar Corps of the Army. He was accompanied by Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha, chief minister Omar Abdullah and senior Army officials.

In Srinagar, Pahalgam and some other areas, Tiranga rallies led by BJP activists were held to celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor.

"I raise this question before the world: Are nuclear weapons safe in the hands of such an irresponsible and rogue nation? Pakistan's nuclear weapons should be taken under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," said Singh, adding, "India was not deterred by Pakistan's nuclear blackmail and the world has witnessed how irresponsibly Islamabad has issued nuclear threats to New Delhi several times."

Singh asserted that no unwarranted action should be taken from across the border, which is the base of the understanding reached between the two countries. "I reiterate Prime Minister Modi's views that terrorism and talks cannot go together. If talks are held, it will only be on terrorism and PoK," Singh said.

The minister also took a dig at Pakistan saying the country has reached a state where it has sought loan from IMF, while India falls in the category of those countries which provide funds to IMF so that they can give loans to poor countries.

"Wherever Pakistan stands, the line of beggars starts from there," said Singh.

"Pakistan has been deceiving India; it must stop sheltering anti-India and terrorist groups," he said.

Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, commended soldiers' valour, and unwavering vigilance in dominating the Line of Control during intense engagements with the Pakistan Army. He complemented precise and bold actions that destroyed terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.