Nuclear history of India

The nuclear history of India spans several decades and includes significant developments in research, technology, and policy. Below is an overview of key milestones in India's nuclear journey: ### Early Developments (1940s-1960s) - **1940s**: The groundwork for India's nuclear program began in the late 1940s when prominent physicists like Homi J. Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai advocated for nuclear research.

India's three-stage nuclear power programme is a strategic plan developed to utilize its vast nuclear resources for energy production, while also promoting long-term self-sufficiency in nuclear technology. The programme primarily focuses on harnessing the country's thorium reserves, which are among the largest in the world, and it is structured around three key stages: ### Stage 1: Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) - **Fuel**: Natural uranium.

The India–United States Civil Nuclear Agreement, also known as the 123 Agreement, is a landmark bilateral civil nuclear cooperation deal between India and the United States. It was signed in 2008 and represents a significant shift in the nuclear relationship between the two countries. Here are some key points about the agreement: 1. **Background**: Historically, India had been subject to nuclear sanctions after its tests in 1974 and 1998.

Operation Brasstacks was a large-scale military exercise conducted by the Indian Armed Forces in late 1986 and early 1987. The exercise was aimed at simulating a potential conflict scenario along India's western border, primarily against Pakistan, and involved the mobilization of troops, armor, and artillery units. The operation was significant not only for its scale but also because it prompted a strong reaction from Pakistan, which viewed the maneuver as a potential invasion threat.

Pokhran-II refers to a series of five nuclear tests conducted by India at the Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan in May 1998. This event marked India's second confirmed nuclear test series, the first being Pokhran-I in 1974, which was also known as "Smiling Buddha." The tests conducted during Pokhran-II included one fusion bomb and four fission bombs. The series was a significant demonstration of India's nuclear capabilities and was met with a mix of international criticism and support.

"Smiling Buddha" is the nickname given to India's first successful nuclear test, which took place on May 18, 1974, at the Pokhran Test Range in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan. This test marked India's entry into the group of nuclear-capable nations and was conducted under the code name "Operation Smiling Buddha." The test demonstrated India's ability to develop nuclear weapons and had significant geopolitical implications, impacting regional security dynamics in South Asia.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1172 was adopted on June 26, 1998. The resolution addressed the situation regarding nuclear proliferation and specifically expressed concerns over India's nuclear tests conducted in May 1998. In Resolution 1172, the Security Council condemned the nuclear tests conducted by India and urged both India and Pakistan to refrain from further nuclear tests and to pursue the path of nuclear disarmament.