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Pokhran-I Nuclear Test

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Pokhran-I Nuclear Test

Source: The Hindu
GS III: National Security and Challenges

Overview

Image by S K from Pixabay
  1. News in Brief
  2. Details of Pokhran-I Nuclear Test
  3. Pokhran

Why in the News?

India conducted its first nuclear test in Pokhran 50 years ago.

News in Brief
  • Fifty years ago, in the deserts of Pokhran, an event of great significance echoed not only through Rajasthan but also around the world.
  • On May 18, 1974, India made history by conducting its first nuclear test, “Smiling Buddha.
  • This pivotal moment represented a major turning point for India, highlighting both a scientific breakthrough and a profound change in the nation’s strategic direction.
Details of the Pokhran-I Nuclear Test
  • Pokhran-I, also known as Operation Smiling Buddha, was India’s first successful nuclear test conducted on May 18, 1974.
  • This test marked a significant milestone in India’s scientific and strategic capabilities, demonstrating the country’s advancement in nuclear technology and its entry into the league of nuclear-armed states.

Key Facts

  • Date and Location: May 18, 1974, in the Thar Desert near Pokhran, Rajasthan.
  • Yield: The test had an estimated yield of approximately 8 to 12 kilotons of TNT.
  • Project Lead: The test was overseen by key scientists such as Dr. Raja Ramanna, Dr. Homi Sethna, and Dr. P.K. Iyengar.
  • International Reaction
    • The test was conducted under a veil of secrecy and surprised the international community.
    • It led to a range of reactions from different countries, with some expressing concern and others acknowledging India’s technological achievement.

Cold War Context

  • After World War II, new global alliances and alignments emerged, leading to the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union.
  • The US and the USSR engaged in proxy wars in other countries, vying for ideological and economic superiority.
  • To prevent massive devastation from nuclear weapons, the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) was signed in 1968.
  • The NPT defined nuclear-weapon states as those that had manufactured and exploded a nuclear weapon before January 1, 1967 (effectively including the P-5 countries: the US, UK, France, China, and Russia).

Various Areas of Impact

  • Scientific Endeavor
    • The success of Pokhran-I was the culmination of years of dedicated research by Indian scientists.
    • It involved collaboration across various institutions including the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD).
  • Geopolitical Impact
    • The test had significant geopolitical implications.
    • It signaled India’s intention to develop a deterrent against potential threats, particularly from neighboring countries with nuclear capabilities.
    • This move also highlighted India’s desire to maintain strategic autonomy and reduce reliance on foreign powers.
  • Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
    • India’s decision to conduct the test outside the framework of the NPT, which it had not signed, underscored its stance on the inequities perceived in the treaty.
    • India argued that the NPT perpetuated the monopoly of established nuclear powers while restricting others.
  • International Sanctions and Response
    • In the aftermath, India faced international sanctions, particularly from the United States and other Western nations.
    • These sanctions aimed to curb further development of India’s nuclear program but also spurred India to become more self-reliant in its nuclear technology.
Pokhran
  • Pokhran is a remote location in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district.
  • Surrounded by rocks, sand and five salt ranges.
  • Word Pokaran means place surrounded by five salt-ranges in Rajasthani.
  • The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre preferred to conduct the tests in the remote desert of Rajasthan due to the topography and the weather of the region.

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