By Lakshya Govani
Since World War II, there has been a race to build nuclear weapons between the USA and Germany. The USA, with the help of one of the most famous scientists, Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, developed the nuclear weapon. Following this discovery, Germany surrendered quickly, but Japan continued to fight. To demonstrate the power of the USA’s nuclear weapon and to teach Japan a lesson, the USA dropped two atomic bombs on Japanese cities. This resulted in the massive loss of life, and the USA became the first country to both possess and use nuclear power. Following this tragedy, Japan unconditionally surrendered. After India gained its independence, Jawaharlal Nehru became the Prime Minister. His friend, Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha, was interested in nuclear experiments and wanted India to develop its own nuclear weapons for defense purposes. He proposed this idea to Prime Minister Nehru, but Nehru partially rejected it, as he did not want India to pursue nuclear weapons due to the global threats they posed at the time. Instead, Dr. Bhabha suggested that if they were not using nuclear energy for weapons, they should harness it for electricity generation, to which the Prime Minister agreed. Consequently, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) was established on January 3, 1954, marking India’s commitment to using nuclear power solely for electricity generation.
After the formation of Barc and Indo-China War
In the war with China in 1962, the USSR, despite being a nuclear power, did not support India. China subsequently began to unofficially consider Aksai Chin as part of its territory. This situation became even more concerning for India in 1964 when China successfully conducted its nuclear test, joining the ranks of the five nuclear-armed countries at the time: the USA, China, the USSR, France, and the United Kingdom. Recognizing the urgent need for nuclear capability, Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha stated in 1965 that if he received approval, he could develop a nuclear bomb within 18 months. He also introduced a three-stage process for producing uranium. Tragically, on January 24, 1966, while traveling from Mumbai to New York, his plane crashed, and he lost his life in that accident.
Operation Smiling Buddha
In 1968, the era for developing nuclear weapons had begun to change with the signing of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which prohibited the spread and development of nuclear technology. No country was allowed to create nuclear weapons under this agreement. However, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi refocused attention on India’s nuclear program and initiated “Operation Smiling Buddha.” Key figures in India’s first nuclear test included Raja Ramanna, P.K. Iyengar, and Rajagopala Chidambaram. Raja Ramanna, then the director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), oversaw the operation, while R. Chidambaram played a significant role as an architect of the project, along with P.K. Iyengar. The scientists and military officials chose Pokhran, Rajasthan, as the testing site for their nuclear endeavor. After months of hard work, on May 18, 1974, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi received the message that “the Buddha is smiling,” indicating the successful detonation of an 8-kiloton nuclear bomb underground. Following the test, in her address, the Prime Minister stated that this nuclear test was not intended for violence but was a peaceful demonstration, asserting that the bomb would be used solely for peaceful purposes only.
The results…
After the nuclear test in India, the USA claimed that it was a failed project and that no nuclear technology was shared with India. As a result, India faced sanctions, and no facilities were provided. Geopolitical dynamics played a different game concerning India. By the 1990s, the USA was also planning for a new treaty—the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty—which prohibited any nation from conducting nuclear tests. While there was widespread opposition to the nuclear bomb test in 1974, a new project was subsequently launched.
The start of Indian Nuclear Race:
After Indira Gandhi, many leaders attempted to continue India’s nuclear project, but all were closely monitored by U.S. satellites. However, one Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, successfully conducted Operation Shakti in Pokhran, Rajasthan. Vajpayee was a remarkable leader and politician who, even while in the opposition, accepted and welcomed Operation Smiling Buddha. He was genuinely concerned about India’s nuclear capabilities and successfully oversaw a significant operation. In addition to Vajpayee, many esteemed scientists contributed to this effort, including Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, R. Chidambaram, Anil Kakodkar, Satinder Kumar Sikka, M.S. Ramakumar, D.D. Sood, S.K. Gupta, and G. Govindraj. These brilliant minds came together opposing geopolitical pressures, resulting in Operation Shakti. Just two years after Atal Bihari Vajpayee began his term as Prime Minister in 1996, this operation was successfully conducted in 1998, effectively eluding the watchful eyes of the CIA.
Hiding from the CIA is an interesting topic. U.S. satellites have always had an eagle-eye view of India, and even the smallest suspicious movement could jeopardize plans. To prevent this, scientists were given new identities and had to adopt military titles; for instance, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was referred to as Major General Prithviraj. All the scientists used aliases to conceal their true identities. To hide the site and facilitate preparation, various methods were employed. Scientists were only permitted to enter in military attire, and the location was camouflaged. Most of the work took place at night. A military camp was established nearby, and regular cricket matches were organised to divert attention from U.S. surveillance. When the site was ready, the bombs were transported using an Indian Air Force plane and army trucks. By May 1998, the site was fully prepared to demonstrate its “Shakti” to the world.
India Scripts History Again
On May 11, 1998, a significant milestone in India’s scientific and military history was achieved with the conduct of the first nuclear test at the Pokhran Test Range in the Thar Desert. The decision to proceed with the test came after years of preparation and strategic planning, especially considering the proximity of the location to Pakistan. Indian scientists and defense officials were acutely aware of the geopolitical implications and wanted to ensure that the test went undetected until it was safely conducted. Due to concerns about wind patterns that could carry radioactive particles across borders, the team made the prudent decision to wait for a favorable weather window. When the winds finally calmed, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation as the moment for the test approached. At precisely 3:45 PM, the first series of detonations took place, marking a historic event for India. This initial test involved a groundbreaking combination of three different devices: a fusion bomb, which relied on the principle of nuclear fusion—the same process that powers the sun—and two fission bombs, leveraging the process of nuclear fission. The resulting explosion was colossal, a testament to the successful engineering and scientific capabilities of India’s nuclear program. The blast not only registered as a significant event on seismographs around the world but also resonated deeply within India, as it reinforced the nation’s status as a nuclear-powered entity. This achievement was celebrated widely across the country and marked a pivotal moment in India’s quest for strategic autonomy and security.
Loud sounds echo Pokhran to mark big success
Following the success of the initial tests, the Indian government moved forward with further demonstrations of its nuclear capabilities. On May 13, 1998, two additional nuclear bombs were detonated at the same site. This phase of testing was conducted without interruption, showcasing the confidence and technical expertise that India had developed in its nuclear program. Loud sound echoed once again, and the tests affirmed India’s commitment to being a responsible nuclear power. The successful execution of these tests not only had scientific and military implications but also sent a strong message to the global community about India’s resolve to safeguard its national interests. It was a day that would be etched in the annals of history, symbolising not just a technical victory, but also a significant step toward ensuring India’s strategic security and asserting its place on the world stage as a formidable nuclear power.
India makes it clear, it wont merely listen to major powers
After the successful detonation of nuclear bombs, India has proven itself to be a nuclear power. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi both stated that India would use this power solely for peaceful purposes. However, Atal Bihari Vajpayee made it clear that India would also be prepared to use its nuclear capabilities as a deterrent, asserting that the country would not remain silent and merely listen to the demands of major powers. Additionally, India upholds a “no-first-use” policy, which means that it will not use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-armed nations. The unwavering support of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the dedication and determination of our scientists contributed to the success of this project, demonstrating to Western powers that we cannot be suppressed.
Conclusion
Even after facing numerous sanctions, bans, surveillance issues, and a decline in trust, India stood boldly and successfully conducted a nuclear test, demonstrating its power in the face of Western opposition. Many countries sought to prevent India from possessing nuclear weapons by creating various treaties, but India remained resolute and ultimately achieved nuclear capability. Despite encountering numerous challenges and diplomatic hurdles, India successfully secured its status as a nuclear power.
Jai Hind!!
