Washington: Pakistan and China are testing nuclear weapons, President Donald Trump said in an interview on CBS's 60 Minutes. He said Russia and North Korea were also testing their nuclear arms. Trump's remarks came as he justified his order to American forces to test nuclear weapons after a 33-year moratorium. Trump's revelation could be concerning for India as it faces Pakistan and China on two fronts.
He claimed that countries possessing nuclear warheads have been conducting tests—they just don't talk about it. He said China and Pakistan are already conducting covert detonations.
"Russia's testing and China's testing, but they don't talk about it. You know, we're an open society. We're different. We talk about it... They don't have reporters that are going to be writing about it." He extended the allegation to Pakistan, claiming, "Certainly North Korea's been testing. Pakistan's been testing."
If China and Pakistan are indeed testing nuclear weapons, it makes the situation more volatile for India, which not only follows a no-first-use policy but also hasn’t conducted any nuclear tests since 1998.
India's nuclear arsenal, estimated at 180 warheads as of 2025, lags behind China's burgeoning stockpile of 600 (projected to hit 1,000 by 2030) and mirrors Pakistan's 170. Pakistan's fissile material could fuel up to 200 warheads by 2028, including tactical nukes.
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Pak to deploy submarines developed with China in 2026 Pakistan, with Chinese assistance, is attempting to expand its naval footprint in the Arabian Sea by inducting Hangor-class submarines into its navy's fleet. The first batch of the underwater vessels is expected to be operational by 2026. The move is aimed at enhancing Pakistan's maritime deterrence and securing vital sea lanes linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), said a Pakistan Navy official. According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), 81% of Pakistan's arms imports between 2020 and 2024 came from China. |
