The 1974 Pokhran Nuclear Test: Smiling Buddha
Operation Smiling Buddha, Happy Krishna, and Pokhran-I are some of the names of the first successful nuclear experiment conducted by India. It was detonated in the Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan under the supervision of Indian Generals. This was characterized as a Peaceful Nuclear Explosion (PNE).
It was significant because India was the first country outside of the 5 permanent members belonging to UNSC, to conduct a nuclear experiment. Secondly, India decided to carry out the experiment during a period of political scandals and changes.
Execution of the First Test
The first Pokhran nuclear test was conducted in 1974. It was done under the Indira Gandhi administration in extreme secrecy and the details were kept confidential from almost all the ministers. Even the Defense Minister got to know about the nuclear test after it was completed and announced and the External Affairs Minister got only a 48-hour notice before the experiment was done.
The head of the Nuclear Project was Raja Ramanna and it was supervised by Homi Sethna, the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (ACE). To preserve the secrecy of the test, they employed no more than 75 scientists throughout 1967-1974.
The bomb detonated 107 meters below in a shaft in the Thar Desert to have a lesser impact on the land and cause less harm to the settlement around the area.
National and International Reaction
- On a National level, the reaction to the Pokhran Nuclear Tests was extremely positive and surged Indira Gandhi and the Congress Party’s popularity which was already in steady growth since the India-Pakistani war in 1971.
- However, the international perspective was quite contradictory. The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) came into existence with the aim to halt the distribution of equipment that might be useful in creating nuclear arms.
- Pakistan announced that they would not let India take over the sub-continent and saw it as a serious threat. This pushed Pakistan into the nuclear arena.
Pokhran Nuclear Test
Pokhran Nuclear Test: The Pokhran Nuclear Test was conducted by the Indian Government twice. One was in 1974 and the other in 1998. It was done to strengthen India’s position in the international political arena. These tests declared India to be a nuclear power
The Pokhran Nuclear Tests hold great significance in India’s history as they evolved India’s security and International relations. It also caused a huge shift of power dynamics especially in South Asia.
In this article, we will look into the Pokhran Nuclear Test, including the background of India’s Nuclear Program, the 1974 Pokhran Test, and the Pokhran-II Test in 1988 in detail.
Table of Content
- What was the Pokhran Nuclear Test?
- Background of India’s Nuclear Program
- The 1974 Pokhran Nuclear Test: Smiling Buddha
- Pokhran-II Tests in 1998
What was the Pokhran Nuclear Test?
In 1974, India secretly detonated its first nuclear bomb, “Smiling Buddha,” at Pokhran, sparking international outcry but boosting national pride. In 1998, under “Operation Shakti,” India openly conducted five more tests, declaring itself a nuclear power despite further disapproval. These Pokhran blasts, while controversial, bolstered India’s security stance and scientific advancement, but reignited concerns about nuclear proliferation and ethical implications.
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