26 years ago today, on 11 May 1998, India shocked the world by conducting nuclear tests in Pokhran, Rajasthan. Many countries including America were shocked by these nuclear tests conducted by India without informing anyone. This mission was successfully completed under the leadership of former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. India conducted a nuclear test at 3:45 pm in Pokhran, a small village in Rajasthan. Many countries criticized India and imposed sanctions against this nuclear test conducted by India.
First nuclear test
Earlier in 1974, India had shown the world India’s power by conducting its first nuclear test (Pokhran-1). On the morning of 8 May 1974, a song program started on All India Radio. Meanwhile, suddenly an announcement was made. “Today at 8.05 am, India conducted an underground nuclear test for peaceful purposes at an undisclosed location in western India.” On the night of 14 May, India conducted its first nuclear test in a shaft in the Thar Desert, 110 km from Jaisalmer. This test, conducted in Pokhran on the day of Buddha Purnima on 18 May, was named ‘Buddha Is Smiling’. Pokhran was chosen for the test because it was far away from human settlements.
While India was being criticised by the US and Europe, India ignored it and again conducted 2 nuclear tests on May 13. Thus, by conducting five tests between May 11 and May 13, India became the sixth nuclear-armed country in the world.
Who opposed India?
America opposed India. Economic and trade sanctions were imposed. America also pressured other countries to impose sanctions on India. Apart from this, European countries like Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan and Sweden stood against India. China and Pakistan were also included in these countries. A proposal was also brought against India in the UNSC.
However, Russia was the only country that imposed any sanctions on India. They sided with India despite US pressure. Another country, France, also refused to take a stand against India. Not only this, the then French government declared India as its strategic partner. Britain also refused to impose economic sanctions. But they condemned India’s nuclear test.
In 2008, America signed a nuclear agreement with India. All sanctions imposed by America on India were lifted. Countries which depend on other countries cannot survive in such times. Buddhist religious leader Dalai Lama had written a letter to the Vajpayee government in support of a peaceful India.
The first nuclear test was conducted during Indira Gandhi’s time. Even when we were in the opposition, we supported her. Should we not be self-reliant in defence? This was said by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Parliament.
America was keeping a close watch on India through satellite. At this time, scientists also had to wear military uniforms. The scientists were well prepared for this.
The plan was finalized on the night of May 10. India’s nuclear testing campaign was named ‘Operation Shakti’. When India conducted this nuclear test on May 11, the whole world was shocked. Because India had not given any idea to anyone. This nuclear test of India was considered a big failure of America. China and Pakistan were also shocked by India’s nuclear tests.
Testing under the leadership of Abdul Kalam
The operation was carried out by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, scientific advisor to the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and head of DRDO. It was done under the leadership of APJ Abdul Kalam. Abdul Kalam later became the President of the country. The nuclear test conducted on May 11 used a 15 kiloton fission device and a 0.2 kiloton auxiliary device. Israel openly supported India’s test after the US imposed sanctions on India after the nuclear test.
On 11 May 1998, that day (11 May) was officially declared as National Technology Day in India to commemorate the nuclear tests.
The US intelligence agency CIA was constantly keeping an eye on India. At that time, the US had deployed four satellites to keep an eye on Pokhran. But the Indian scientists were aware of this. Apart from this, there were many spies in the area. Due to this, they had to complete this mission by hiding from them. For this, every member of this team used to talk to each other in sign language. Apart from this, they had also kept each other’s nickname. Pokhran was under the control of the army. Therefore, the scientists here also had to wear the uniform of soldiers. So that the intelligence agency does not have any suspicion. ‘Missile Man’ Abdul Kalam was also present in army uniform.
At around 3 o’clock in the morning, the nuclear bombs were brought here in 4 army trucks. They were brought from Mumbai to Jaisalmer Air Base in an Indian Air Force plane. For this mission, scientists dug large pits in the desert and placed these nuclear bombs in them.
When the nuclear explosion occurred, a cloud of sand rose in the sky. A big crater was formed at the explosion site. A team of 20 scientists standing at some distance from it was monitoring the entire incident. India conducted 5 nuclear bomb tests in Pokhran. After this, India became the sixth nuclear power. India became the first nuclear power country not to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
After the nuclear test, the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had announced this. He said, ‘Today at 15.45, India conducted three underground nuclear tests in the Pokhran range.’ After this, the Prime Minister himself was present at the test site.
Why was nuclear testing necessary?
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty was in full swing in the world. This period was a moment of decision for India. Because if India had signed the CTBT without becoming a nuclear power, then India would never have become a nuclear power. If India had refused to sign it, then the question would have arisen as to why India was holding back from banning nuclear weapons.
After Pokhran-2, massive sanctions were imposed on India. After this test, many problems came together for India and it became internationally isolated due to economic and military sanctions. This was a big challenge for Indian foreign policy makers. But India faced it.
In the period that followed, the pressure on India to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty increased. It was necessary to strengthen India’s position at the international level. Because India had conducted this test to ensure security measures. This test was important due to the increasing security challenges of the neighboring countries. Scientists and the military were of the opinion that it is not possible to stop the enemy without acquiring nuclear energy.
After the war with China in 1962 and Pakistan in 1965 and 1971, many believed that nuclear energy was necessary for the country’s security. But India also adopted a policy of not using nuclear weapons first in case of war. Nuclear weapons will not be used against non-nuclear weapon countries. India also kept a clear stand in front of the world.
The NPT came into existence in 1970. 188 member countries of the United Nations have supported it. Countries that have signed this treaty cannot develop nuclear weapons in the future. But India, Pakistan, Israel, North Korea and South Sudan are UN member countries that have not signed the NPT. Although these countries can use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, it is monitored by inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
When the NPT treaty came into force in 1970, it was intended to limit the nuclear arsenals of countries that had admitted to possessing such weapons. These included the United States, the then Soviet Union (now Russia), China, Britain and France. However, China and France signed the agreement in 1992. These five ‘nuclear-weapon’ countries are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and are bound by the treaty not to supply or assist ‘non-nuclear-weapon’ countries to acquire weapons.
Why is India not signing this treaty?
India has long opposed this nuclear monopoly of these five countries of the world. India is refusing to sign in protest.
