Declassified US documents reveal US, Russia 'nervous' over Pakistan's nuclear proliferation

Newly declassified documents from the US National Security Archive have revealed that Pakistan's nuclear programme was a major concern for both the United States and Russia, with leaders describing the situation as “nervous” due to potential instability and links to global proliferation networks.

Records of conversations between former US President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin, spanning 2001 to 2008, show deep apprehension about Pakistan’s nuclear activities, particularly its connections with Iran’s nuclear programme and the AQ Khan network. The documents, released following a Freedom of Information lawsuit, include verbatim transcripts of meetings and calls.

During a meeting in the Oval Office in 2005, Putin highlighted evidence of Pakistani-origin uranium found in Iranian centrifuges, questioning the West’s tolerance of Pakistan despite its history of proliferation. “But it's not clear what the labs (Iran) have, where they are. Cooperation with Pakistan still exists,” Putin said.

Bush responded by noting his discussions with Pakistani leadership: “I talked to Musharraf about that. I told him we're worried about transfers to Iran and North Korea. They put AQ Khan in jail, and some of his buddies under house arrest. We want to know what they said. I keep reminding Musharraf of that. Either he's getting nothing, or he's not being forthcoming.”

Putin reiterated concerns about uranium of Pakistani origin in Iran, stating, “As far as I understand, they found uranium of Pakistani origin in the centrifuges.” Bush acknowledged Pakistan’s involvement in illicit transfers, adding, “Yes, the stuff the Iranians forgot to tell the IAEA about. That's a violation.”

Putin remarked, “It was of Pakistani origin. That makes me nervous,” with Bush responding, “It makes us nervous, too.”

In an earlier discussion in 2001 in Slovenia, Putin bluntly described Pakistan as “just a junta” with nuclear weapons and “no democracy.” “I am concerned about Pakistan. It is just a junta with nuclear weapons. It is no democracy, yet the West makes no criticism of it. Should talk about it,” he said.

The transcripts indicate ongoing worries over Pakistan’s internal political instability and the security of its nuclear command system, with both leaders concerned that sensitive technology could fall into the wrong hands.

The documents also highlight persistent concerns about AQ Khan’s proliferation network, which supplied nuclear technology to Iran, North Korea, and Libya.

Recently, India criticized Pakistan over alleged nuclear testing activities revealed by US President Donald Trump, describing them as consistent with Islamabad’s history of nuclear proliferation and smuggling networks.

Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal said, “Clandestine and illegal nuclear activities are in keeping with Pakistan's history, which is centred around decades of smuggling, export control violations, secret partnerships, AQ Khan network and further proliferation.”

He added, “India has always drawn the attention of the international community to these aspects of Pakistan's record.”