The Pakistani army chief field Marshal Munir’s statement on possible nuclear attack by Pakistan on grave provocations, is deeply problematic for the world as a whole and the credibility of the international nuclear watchdogs. We may recall that the American president and foreign office had said that they had reports of a dangerous nuclear possibility, in the conflict, and they therefore were pressed to intervene diplomatically. After the ceasefire was suddenly announced by President trump, it was widely believed that Pakistan said that India was pushing to the brink of nuclear retaliation, especially by targeting its nuclear arsenal and delivery facilities. This also hit India’s reputation of a responsible nuclear power, something that had earned it the special exemption during the Indo-US nuclear deal of 2008, while Pakistan always considered a rogue proliferator, gained international recognition for restraint and diplomatic consultation. Now we have the military chief, openly threatening nuclear strikes, not aimed at deterrence but so overwhelming that it would “ take down half the world “. That too from the US, where he is a state guest. Seen with the silence of US authorities, it has given the impression that, one, Pakistan wasn’t facing any serious existential threat for it to invoke nuclear risks or rather that its nuclear threshold is really very low and which implies that it is not a responsible nuclear power. Two, that the US especially the Trump administration is not a serious watchdog of nuclear risk, and its claim of being concerned over nuclear risk during operation sindoor is not convincing. Seen together both these possibilities, hint at a weakened nuclear watch system and an increased threat of nuclear proliferation in future. That the US administration would prefer to overlook nuclear irresponsible behavior, for petty geopolitical considerations, would undermine the legitimacy of the US led global nuclear and security order, which would lead to increased chaos. Russia and China have already lost their claim by their inaction during the Iranian conflict. The global outlook is not inspiring. All said, this reflects the sorry state of Indian diplomacy and foreign policy. That we could not get any section of international community.
