Defence minister Rajnath Singh has said that India remains fully prepared to deal with any security contingency, responding to renewed speculation about Pakistan’s nuclear activities following controversial remarks made by US President Donald Trump. In a conversation with Hindustan Times, Singh addressed concerns triggered by Trump’s assertion on a CBS programme that Pakistan has been “secretly” conducting nuclear tests. The defence minister made it clear that India is neither alarmed nor reactive in the face of such claims, reiterating instead that the country maintains a steady posture grounded in preparedness and strategic confidence.

When asked directly about Pakistan’s alleged nuclear developments, Singh said that India cannot be rattled by unverified reports or political statements emerging from abroad. “Those who want to test, let them; how can we stop them?” he said. The minister emphasised that India’s security framework is structured to respond to all possible developments, even those that remain speculative. “Whatever happens, we are prepared for any eventuality,” he said. His statement underscored India’s long-held national security doctrine that remains attentive but unprovoked, asserting readiness without engaging in escalatory rhetoric.

Singh was also asked whether India would conduct its own nuclear test if Pakistan proceeded with one. He refrained from offering a definitive stance but suggested that India’s decisions would be shaped by real developments, not speculation. “Let’s first see if they do it,” he remarked, making it clear that New Delhi does not base strategic decisions on assumptions or conjecture.

The renewed debate surrounding Pakistan’s nuclear programme began after Trump declared that the United States would resume nuclear weapons testing for the first time in more than three decades. The former US president claimed that several countries continued to conduct underground nuclear tests and argued that the United States should not be the only nation refraining from testing while others proceed. In that context, Trump singled out Pakistan, stating that Islamabad had carried out secret nuclear tests, thereby justifying Washington’s proposed shift in policy.

Trump’s remarks revived longstanding concerns regarding Pakistan’s nuclear infrastructure and non-proliferation record. For years, Pakistan has been criticised by international observers for its history of clandestine nuclear activity, smuggling of nuclear technologies, and proliferation networks linked to the activities of scientist A. Q. Khan. While Pakistan has repeatedly denied such allegations, questions about the transparency of its nuclear programme continue to surface in global security discussions.

India’s ministry of external affairs (MEA) responded to Trump’s statement by reiterating concerns previously raised in international forums about Pakistan’s proliferation record. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that Pakistan’s nuclear trajectory had long been associated with “clandestine and illegal” activities. He argued that Pakistan’s record includes decades of covert procurement, violations of export control obligations, and secret partnerships that sustained the A. Q. Khan network. According to Jaiswal, Pakistan’s behaviour has contributed significantly to the instability of the global non-proliferation regime.

Pakistan, however, strongly rejected Trump’s claims. A senior Pakistani official told CBS News that the country has observed a unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing for years. The official said that Pakistan had not been the first nation to carry out nuclear tests in the region and would not be the first to resume them. Islamabad reaffirmed its commitment to restraint, despite its refusal to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Pakistan maintains that its nuclear programme is strictly for deterrence and that it remains vigilant in avoiding actions that could escalate regional tensions.

The issue of nuclear testing remains a sensitive one in South Asia, where both India and Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in 1998, altering the regional and global strategic landscape. Since then, both countries have maintained test moratoriums while continuing to develop their nuclear capabilities within the framework of operational readiness. Neither country is a signatory to the CTBT, but both have adhered to self-imposed limits on nuclear testing.

Rajnath Singh’s remarks offer insight into India’s calibrated approach to nuclear policy. India’s defence posture has traditionally been grounded in a doctrine of credible minimum deterrence, supported by policies that avoid provocation while ensuring readiness. Singh’s comments reflect continuity in India’s security strategy: a refusal to be drawn into strategic signalling based on external statements and a commitment to making decisions rooted in national interest.

His statement, “Let’s first see if they do it,” suggests a wait-and-assess approach rather than an eagerness to mirror actions undertaken by Pakistan or other countries. India has historically taken the position that nuclear decisions must be based on sober, evidence-based evaluations rather than political rhetoric.

The broader geopolitical environment adds further complexity to the issue. Trump’s claim, and the US debate over the possible resumption of nuclear testing, could have ramifications for global arms control frameworks, particularly at a time when tensions between major powers are rising. If the United States resumes testing, it could weaken international norms established over decades to limit nuclear explosions and curb arms races. Such a shift could prompt other nuclear-armed nations to rethink their testing policies, potentially accelerating global instability.

For India, which positions itself as a responsible nuclear power with a strong non-proliferation record, the international context remains crucial. Any decisions about nuclear testing would need to balance strategic necessity, global diplomatic relations, and long-term commitments to stability.

In South Asia, the delicate balance between India and Pakistan has remained intact largely because both countries understand the catastrophic consequences of even limited nuclear engagement. While political rhetoric periodically raises anxieties, both nations have historically exercised caution. Singh’s remarks underline this pragmatic approach, reinforcing that India will respond only to concrete developments and not to conjectural claims.

The exchange also reaffirms India’s scepticism toward Pakistan’s public declarations of restraint. While Islamabad claims adherence to a moratorium, India’s foreign ministry sees Pakistan’s nuclear history as checkered with concealment and proliferation. This divergence explains India’s measured but vigilant posture.

As global discussions on nuclear testing intensify, India’s strategic community will continue to monitor developments in Washington, Islamabad, and other capitals. Singh’s remarks signal that India’s primary commitment is to preparedness, stability, and responsible conduct, even as geopolitical unpredictability grows.

The defence minister’s message—calm, guarded, and grounded in longstanding doctrine—reflects a broader approach aimed at ensuring national security without contributing to escalation. The situation, he suggested, will be met with vigilance and readiness rather than reactive or premature decisions.