‘Noted with concern’: Why is Pakistan questioning the India–Canada uranium deal?

Pakistan questions India–Canada uranium supply deal

Pakistan has expressed concern over the newly signed uranium supply agreement between India and Canada, raising questions about civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries.

The reaction comes after New Delhi and Ottawa concluded a major agreement earlier this week covering uranium supplies and collaboration in nuclear reactor technology — a move widely seen as signalling a thaw in relations that had remained strained since 2023.

The $2.6 billion agreement was signed on March 2, 2026, during Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to New Delhi. Under the deal, Canada’s Cameco Corp. will supply around 22 million pounds (11,000 tonnes) of uranium ore concentrate to India’s Department of Atomic Energy between 2027 and 2035.

The fuel will be used to support India’s civilian nuclear reactors as the country works to expand its nuclear power capacity to 22 gigawatts by 2031.

Beyond uranium supply, the agreement also includes cooperation on small modular reactors and advanced nuclear technologies. It marks one of the most significant nuclear cooperation deals since India received a waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group, allowing it to engage in civilian nuclear trade despite not being a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Islamabad questions ‘country-specific’ nuclear cooperation

Responding to the development, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said it had taken note of the agreement with concern.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the arrangement appeared to represent yet another country-specific exception in civil nuclear cooperation. Pakistan also referred to India’s 1974 nuclear test, noting that the plutonium used in that test had originated from a reactor supplied by Canada for peaceful purposes — an event that ultimately led to the creation of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

The statement argued that preferential access granted through selective arrangements raises questions about global export control standards.

PR No.Statement by Spokesperson @TahirAndrabi on Uranium Supply Agreement between Canada and India.https://t.co/Oato72mnUDpic.twitter.com/RR4jzaHxKj

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 5, 2026

Islamabad further claimed that India has not placed all of its civilian nuclear facilities under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency and has not undertaken binding commitments under the latest agreement. According to the statement, several facilities remain outside international inspection, raising concerns about the non-proliferation assurances tied to the deal.

Pakistan also warned that reliable external uranium supplies could allow India to channel its domestic reserves into military use, potentially expanding fissile material stockpiles and altering the strategic balance in South Asia.

Reiterating a long-standing position, Islamabad called for a non-discriminatory, criteria-based framework that applies equally to countries outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Pakistan said selective exceptions risk undermining the credibility of the global non-proliferation system and could have implications for both regional and international stability.