25th Anniversary of Pokhran-II

Context:

India recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of Pokhran-II on 11th May 2023 marking the successful nuclear bomb test explosions which became a significant milestone in its journey to become a nuclear power.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Pokhran-II and India’s Journey as a Nuclear Power:
2. Pokhran-I
3. Pokhran-II
4. India’s Nuclear Policy

Pokhran-II and India’s Journey as a Nuclear Power:

Historical Background:

• In 1945, physicist Homi J. Bhabha advocated for the establishment of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Bombay, focusing on nuclear physics research.
• TIFR became India’s first research institution dedicated to the study of nuclear physics.
• After India gained independence, Bhabha convinced Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru about the importance of nuclear energy.
• In 1954, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) was established, with Bhabha as its director.
• The DAE operated autonomously, with limited public scrutiny.

Motivation for Nuclear Weapons Pursuit:

• India’s pursuit of nuclear weapons was driven by concerns over sovereignty and security threats posed by China and Pakistan.
• The 1962 Sino-Indian War and China’s subsequent nuclear test in 1964 heightened India’s need to safeguard its national security.
• The war with Pakistan in 1965, with Chinese support, further emphasized the necessity of self-sufficiency in defense capabilities.

Pokhran-I:

• By the 1970s, India had developed the capability to conduct a nuclear bomb test.
• Pokhran-I refers to India’s first nuclear bomb test, which took place on May 18, 1974, at the Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan.
• The operation was codenamed “Smiling Buddha” and was officially described as a “peaceful nuclear explosion” with minimal military implications.
• With Pokhran-I, India became the sixth country in the world to possess nuclear weapons capability, joining the United States, Soviet Union, Britain, France, and China.

Consequences:

• The tests faced widespread condemnation and significant sanctions, particularly from the United States and Canada.
• These sanctions hindered India’s progress in nuclear technology and slowed down its nuclear journey.
• Domestic factors, such as the political instability during the Emergency in 1975 and opposition to nuclear weapons, also hampered progress.

Resurgence and Expansion:

• In the 1980s, India witnessed a renewed interest in nuclear weapons development, driven by Pakistan’s advancements in the field.
• India increased funding for its missile program and expanded its plutonium stockpiles, signaling its commitment to strengthening its nuclear capabilities.

Pokhran-II:

• Pokhran-II refers to a series of five nuclear bomb test explosions conducted by India between May 11th and 13th, 1998, in the Pokhran desert of Rajasthan.
• The operation was codenamed “Operation Shakti” and marked India’s second successful attempt at nuclear tests.

Significance:

• Pokhran-II solidified India’s status as a nuclear power on the global stage.
• It demonstrated India’s capability to possess and deploy nuclear weapons, enhancing its deterrence capabilities.
• Following Pokhran-II, the Indian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, officially declared India as a state possessing nuclear weapons.

International Response:

• While the 1998 tests resulted in some countries imposing sanctions, notably the United States, the condemnation was not as widespread as it was after Pokhran-I in 1974.
• India, with its rapidly growing economy and market potential, was able to assert its position and solidify its status as a significant nation-state despite the sanctions.

India’s Nuclear Policy:

• India has since adopted a policy of “credible minimum deterrence,” which means maintaining a nuclear arsenal sufficient to deter any potential adversary from launching a nuclear attack.
• India has consistently emphasized its commitment to a “no first use” policy, stating that it will not be the first to use nuclear weapons in any conflict.

International Recognition:

• In 2008, the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) granted a waiver to India, allowing it to engage in nuclear commerce despite not being a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
• This recognition marked a significant shift in India’s status within the international nuclear order.

-Source: Indian Express

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