Published on: May 18, 2024
50 YEARS OF POKHRAN-I
50 YEARS OF POKHRAN-I
- Historical Context:
- After World War II, global alliances shifted, and the US and USSR engaged in proxy conflicts during the Cold War era.
- The use of nuclear weapons in Hiroshima and Nagasaki prompted the need for regulations to prevent further devastation.
- Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT):
- Signed in 1968, it aimed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.
- NPT categorized nuclear-weapon states (P-5) and non-nuclear states, imposing restrictions on technology transfer and weapons acquisition.
- India’s Objections to NPT:
- India saw the NPT as discriminatory, favoring P-5 countries.
- The permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (also known as the Permanent Five, Big Five, or P5) are the five sovereign states to whom the UN Charter of 1945 grants a permanent seat on the UN Security Council: China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, and United States.
- Concerns arose over the lack of obligations for nuclear-armed states to disarm.
- Domestic Developments:
- Indian scientists like Homi J Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai laid the groundwork for nuclear energy in India.
- The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) was established in 1954, indicating India’s interest in nuclear technology.
- Shift in Policy:
- Despite initial skepticism by leaders like Nehru, events like the 1962 war with China and subsequent conflicts altered India’s stance.
- Prime Minister Indira Gandhi showed openness to nuclear tests, aligning with evolving security concerns.
- The Pokhran-I Test (Smiling Buddha):
- Conducted on May 18, 1974, at Pokhran, Rajasthan.
- It was kept secret, even from some top advisers, due to international treaties and opposition.
- International Response:
- The US reacted critically, leading to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act in 1978 and cessation of nuclear assistance to India.
- International criticism persisted until India’s Pokhran-II tests in 1998, prompting a shift in diplomatic relations.
- Post-Test Diplomacy:
- India’s quest for entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) began in 2008, facing opposition from some nations.
- Over time, India’s portrayal as a responsible nuclear power improved its global acceptance and support for NSG membership.
- Current Status:
- India’s strategic decisions post-Pokhran-I, leading to Pokhran-II and subsequent diplomatic efforts, have positioned it as a significant player in global nuclear discourse.
