Washington, November 2: Former U.S. President Donald Trump has made a startling claim that Pakistan, along with China, Russia, and North Korea, is conducting nuclear weapons tests, allegedly without international disclosure or oversight. His remarks have reignited global debate over the transparency of nuclear activities and the growing risk of a new arms race among nuclear-armed states.
In an interview with a major U.S. broadcast network, Trump alleged that several nations are engaged in underground or covert nuclear testing in violation of global non-proliferation norms. He said, “Russia and China are testing nuclear weapons. North Korea and Pakistan are also conducting tests, but they don’t tell anyone about it.”
Underground Tests and Secrecy Allegations
Trump claimed that many of these countries perform underground nuclear detonations, making detection extremely difficult for international monitoring agencies. “It’s a big world,” he remarked. “You don’t know where they’re testing. They test underground, where no one knows what’s happening. Sometimes, you just feel the ground shake a little.”
While Trump did not provide specific evidence or intelligence sources to support his assertions, his remarks have sparked renewed attention toward the monitoring limitations of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which bans all nuclear explosions for both civilian and military purposes.
Pakistan’s Nuclear Policy and Global Response
Pakistan, which conducted its last confirmed nuclear tests in May 1998 in response to India’s nuclear detonations, has repeatedly maintained a unilateral moratorium on further nuclear testing. Islamabad’s official stance emphasizes that its nuclear program is purely for deterrence and defensive purposes, ensuring the country’s national security balance in South Asia.
There has been no credible evidence or satellite data to suggest that Pakistan has conducted any new nuclear tests in recent years. Experts note that any underground test, especially of significant yield, would likely be detected by global seismic monitoring networks operated by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).
International Analysts Question Trump’s Claims
Nuclear security analysts have expressed skepticism about Trump’s statement, citing the absence of scientific data or verified reports. “The global seismic network is so sensitive that even small underground explosions can be detected,” said a former CTBTO expert. “No such activity has been recorded in Pakistan, China, or Russia recently.”
Another arms control analyst suggested that Trump’s comments might be politically motivated, especially as he seeks to position himself as a strong voice on national security during his ongoing political campaign. “He has a history of making bold, unverified claims about foreign powers to emphasize American vulnerability,” the analyst added.
Global Non-Proliferation Concerns Revived
Despite skepticism, Trump’s remarks have once again highlighted the fragile state of the global non-proliferation regime. The CTBT, though adopted by the United Nations in 1996, has not yet entered into force, as several key nations—including the United States, China, and North Korea—have not ratified it.
If true, any secret nuclear testing by states such as Russia, China, or Pakistan would represent a serious violation of international norms and could trigger a new nuclear arms race.
