On the occasion of the 51st anniversary of India’s first nuclear test, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday extended his greetings and lauded the efforts of Indian scientists as well as the leadership of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
“51 years ago, India conducted its first Nuclear Test, code named ‘Smiling Buddha’ and became the 6th nation in the world to carry out such tests. Our scientists and researchers achieved this extraordinary feat through their ingenuity and dedication. We are deeply grateful to them,” Kharge posted on X.
He further praised the late Prime Minister’s leadership, stating, “Indira Gandhi demonstrated exemplary and dynamic leadership, displaying remarkable courage even in the face of adversity, a legacy that endures.”
India carried out its first nuclear test on May 18, 1974, in Pokhran, Rajasthan, becoming the sixth nation in the world to do so. The operation, code-named Smiling Buddha, marked a significant milestone in India’s scientific and strategic history.
The approval for the nuclear test was granted by Indira Gandhi in 1972, and the project was executed by a dedicated team of scientists and experts at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). A total of 75 personnel, including scientists and engineers, were involved in the design and development of the nuclear device.
The Pokhran-I test was conducted underground in the remote deserts of Rajasthan and was officially termed a “peaceful nuclear explosion”, indicating it was intended for non-military purposes. India was the first country outside the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) to conduct such a test.
India’s second round of nuclear tests took place in 1998, under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and was named Pokhran-II or Operation Shakti.
The anniversary comes at a time of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, especially after Operation Sindoor, launched by the Indian Army in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack. The recent developments have reignited discussions around nuclear deterrence, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that India will “no longer tolerate nuclear blackmail” and will “respond to any terrorist attack with strict and decisive action.”