Latest news with #Pokhran-1
News18
19-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
This Is Why India's First Nuclear Test In 1974 Was Delayed By 5 Minutes
Last Updated: Though termed a 'peaceful nuclear explosion,' the 1974 test proved India's nuclear capability, placing it among the world's elite group of nuclear-armed nations Fifty-one years ago, India surprised the world by conducting its first nuclear test under the leadership of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, often referred to as the Iron Lady. She described the test as a 'peaceful nuclear explosion." However, the United States, displeased with the move, responded by cutting off the supply of nuclear materials and fuel to India. The test marked a turning point in India's history, signalling the beginning of its nuclear journey. Despite opposition from the global nuclear non-proliferation regime, India's so-called 'peaceful' nuclear explosion positioned it among the select group of nations with nuclear capabilities. On May 18, preparations for the nuclear test were finalised. A scaffold was set up five kilometres away to monitor the explosion, where senior military officers and scientists gathered to observe. Scientist Virendra Sethi was sent to the test site for a final inspection. However, when the jeep at the site failed to start, Sethi had to walk two kilometres to the control room, resulting in a five-minute delay from the scheduled 8 a.m. detonation time. Seven Years Of Hard Work After seven years of dedicated effort, a team of 75 scientists and engineers successfully brought the top-secret nuclear project to completion. The initiative was led by Dr. Raja Ramanna, then Director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). Among his team was APJ Abdul Kalam, who would later go on to lead India's 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests. India Faced A Dilemma Over Nuclear Path India's political leadership remained conflicted about pursuing a nuclear weapons program. Despite growing security concerns, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was reluctant to develop nuclear arms, even after China conducted its first nuclear test at Lop Nur in 1964. His successor, Lal Bahadur Shastri, also resisted domestic pressure to carry out nuclear tests in response. Instead, during his 1964 visit to Britain, Shastri sought security assurances from established nuclear powers rather than opting for an indigenous nuclear build-up. Indira Gandhi Adopted A Firm Stance When Indira Gandhi became Prime Minister in 1966, she charted a different course from her predecessors. Unlike Nehru and Shastri, who were cautious about pursuing nuclear weapons, Gandhi adopted a tougher and more pragmatic stance, particularly toward the discriminatory Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). She gave the green light to India's nuclear establishment to develop the capability for a functional nuclear explosion—one that could be presented as a peaceful test if needed. After years of determined work by Indian nuclear scientists through the 1960s and early 1970s, the country was finally prepared for a defining moment. On May 18, 1974, India conducted its first nuclear test—Pokhran-1—code-named Smiling Buddha, in an underground facility in Rajasthan. Though officially described as a 'peaceful nuclear explosion," the test effectively showcased India's nuclear weapons capability, placing the country in the elite group of nuclear-armed nations. The successful detonation triggered a surge of national pride, but it also drew sharp international criticism and heightened concerns of a potential arms race in South Asia. First Published: May 19, 2025, 15:30 IST
News18
14-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Trump Meets Al-Sharaa In Saudi After Lifting Sanctions On Syria, Urges Abraham Accords With Israel
More from world 'Good Cover, Close To…' Why Pakistan Raced To Build Kirana Hills Nuclear Site Post-India's Pokhran-1 60 Dead as IDF Bombs 'Tunnel Under Hospital' to Kill Hamas' Sinwar, US Not Informed, Macron "Angry" Chinese Min Meets Pakistan Envoy As India Expels Islamabad Staffer Over 'Spying', Blocks Xi's Media Kim Urges 'War Preparation,' Oversees North Korea Tank Drills, Tactical Training
NDTV
12-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
PM Modi's Op Sindoor Speech And A Curious 'Smiling Buddha' Connection
New Delhi: "The Buddha is smiling," was the code message flashed to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi when India successfully detonated its first nuclear bomb at the Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan on May 18, 1974. The date was Buddha Purnima, the festival marking the birth of Gautama Buddha. Hence, the codename. The test prompted Pakistan to accelerate its nuclear programme, culminating in tests in 1998. Fifty-one years later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose the same Buddhist festival day to deliver a strong message to Pakistan: "India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail. India will strike precisely and decisively at the terrorist hideouts developing under the cover of nuclear blackmail". The Indira Gandhi government's announcement half a century ago described the nuclear test as a "peaceful" explosion. PM Modi used the word "peace" with a sine qua non: "If Pakistan wants to survive, it will have to destroy its terror infrastructure. There is no other way to peace". 'Buddha Smiles Again' The Prime Minister's statement was analogous to the one made by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister and a BJP stalwart, after India conducted three underground nuclear tests on May 11, 1998, in the same Rajasthan testing range, 24 years after Pokhran-1. Two days later, India conducted two more tests. He kept his announcement straight, avoiding the word "peaceful". Incidentally, the Vajpayee government also chose Buddha's birthday for the nuclear tests, codenamed 'Operation Shakti, but widely known as 'Buddha Smiles Again'. 'Path Of Peace Goes Through Power' PM Modi's Monday address was his first since India's 100-hour military conflict with its nuclear-armed neighbour following New Delhi's 'Operation Sindoor', which was a response to the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, in which 26 civilians were killed in cold blood. In the 25-minute operation, India struck nine terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7. "Instead of supporting India's strike against terrorism, Pakistan started attacking India itself," PM Modi said, adding, "If there is a terrorist attack on India, a fitting reply will be given... a befitting response on our terms only." PM Modi ended his speech with a "peace" message of Buddha - "Today is Buddha Purnima. Lord Buddha has shown us the path of peace". But, there was a significant subscript, "The path of peace also goes through power."
