SOURCE: AFI
India’s nuclear history is one of profound transformation—from a staunch advocate for a nuclear-free world to becoming the sixth declared nuclear power in 1974. This journey, shaped by global politics, regional conflicts, and internal dynamics, offers a fascinating insight into how ideals, ambitions, and strategic imperatives intersect.
India’s initial stance on nuclear weapons was rooted in moral conviction and the horrors of the atomic bombings in Japan. Mahatma Gandhi, in 1947, decried nuclear weapons as a “sinful and evil use of science.” Shortly after, India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, voiced his concerns about nuclear weapons being used disproportionately against Asians, calling for their global abolition.
India’s early nuclear ambitions were firmly centered on peaceful purposes. Under the stewardship of Dr. Homi Bhabha, the architect of India’s nuclear program, the nation embarked on developing atomic energy to fuel its economic and scientific growth.
India’s transition toward nuclear weapons was catalyzed by geopolitical events and regional security challenges. The 1971 war with Pakistan, culminating in the creation of Bangladesh, marked a turning point. During this conflict, the United States, under President Richard Nixon, deployed the nuclear-powered USS Enterprise to the Bay of Bengal. Perceived as nuclear intimidation, this act deeply influenced Indian leadership, including Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
India viewed the deployment as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities it faced in a nuclearized world. Coupled with concerns over the improving relations between the U.S. and China, India began to reassess its security posture.
On May 18, 1974, India conducted its first nuclear test, code-named Smiling Buddha, at the Pokhran Test Range. Officially termed a “peaceful nuclear explosion,” the test demonstrated India’s nuclear capability without explicitly declaring it a weapons program.
The timing of the test was significant. It followed the December 1971 war and Nixon’s visit to China in 1972. It sent a clear signal to both regional adversaries and global powers that India would not be coerced or overshadowed.
India’s test had far-reaching consequences. It was the first country to develop a nuclear device using civilian nuclear technology, leading to widespread international criticism. Canada, which had provided nuclear assistance, reacted strongly, suspending cooperation.
The test also prompted global non-proliferation efforts to tighten controls on nuclear technology, seeking to prevent other nations from following India’s path. Despite the backlash, the test was celebrated domestically, bolstering national pride and consolidating Gandhi’s political position at a time of growing opposition.
Although India refrained from further tests for over two decades, the 1974 explosion laid the foundation for its nuclear weapons program. By the late 1990s, India openly embraced its status as a nuclear weapons state, conducting additional tests in 1998 and formally articulating a doctrine of credible minimum deterrence.
India’s nuclear journey reflects its evolution from idealistic aspirations of global disarmament to pragmatic recognition of the need for deterrence in an unpredictable world. While the 1974 test marked a turning point in global non-proliferation efforts, it also symbolized India’s determination to assert its sovereignty and security.