The claims have grave implications for India. It has modernised its forces in the past decade by buying 62 Rafales and is considering buying more. Pakistan, meanwhile, has added 150 JF -17 fighters, most jointly made with China, since 2007 and has bought 20 J -10 C s since 2022.

India's defence minister said on Thursday that the International Atomic Energy Agency should take charge of Pakistan's nuclear weapons, days after the nuclear-armed neighbours ended their worst military conflict in nearly three decades.