ISLAMABAD: Pakistan deemed Indian media’s report a “disingenuous attempt” for misreporting Director General International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi’s response to a query about firing of India’s missile being fired into Pakistan on March 9 this year.

Indian media reported that BrahMos nuclear capable missile fired into Pakistan’s territory from India was not a cause for any specific concern for international nuclear watchdog. Foreign Office in its statement said that report is a disingenuous attempt by Indian state-sponsored media to absolve their country of its “irresponsible nuclear behaviour” by directing question DG IAEA.

“Available transcripts show that DG IAEA responded in negative when asked whether IAEA had sought information from Indian government on incident. It should have been qualified by stating that IAEA has no mandate on such matters,” statement read.

Pakistan stated that DG’s response cannot be “purposely misinterpreted” to “trivialise” incident of a nuclear-capable BrahMos missile fire with grave implications for regional and global security.

“India also needs to answer questions about underlying intentions, technical features and reliability of missile system, safety, security and nuclear command and control protocols and presence of rogue elements in Indian military,” Foreign Office said. “It was expected to report these nuclear security related incidents under IAEA Incidents and Trafficking Database,” statement read.

Indian media outlet, The Indian Express had claimed that IAEA did not see misfire of missile as a cause of specific concern and that matter did not raise questions on safety of nuclear material and weapon in India.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 17 2022

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