Question

Explain, how has India achieved the status of a nuclear power.

Answer 1

Rise of India as a Nuclear power: Right after the achievement of independence India has been making efforts in the direction of putting to use the atomic energy for peaceful purposes. Atomic Energy Act 1948 and Atpmic Energy commission were the pioneering steps in this direction. The technological advancement in the direction of atomic energy deveolopment was made with the setting up of Tata Institute 1945, and Bhabha Atomic Energy centre 1957. In the year 1956 Apsara research reactor was set up and in the year 1969 the Trarpur atomic energy centre was set up. In India Atomic centres are at Tarapur (Maharashtra), Kota (Rajasthan), Kalpakam (Tamil Nadu), Narora (Uttar Pradesh), Kakrapar (Gujrat) and Kaiga. India had achieved the technology of atomic energy development. Taking out atomic fuel, to separate it and convert it into Uranium making fuel out of its, production of heavy water, manufacture reactor, development of all processes of the fuel and waste management, in all these processes India had achieved competence.
In 1974 Indira Gandhi conducted a peaceful nuclear test in Pokharan (Rajasthan). This test was not carried out with the intention of obtaining weapons. Between 1977 to 1980 India was firm on its policy of not making atomic weapon. In her second term she adopted the policy of wait and watch. In this reference, the 'Integrated guided missile programme' is most important. The eminent scientist A.P.I. Abdul Kakam (former President of India) was made the chairman of this programme. Under the programme, the missiles India made are: Prithvi, Trishul, Naage and Akash.
On 11th May 1998 India conducted three continuous tests underground in Pokhran. Two of them were underground and low intensity and one temperature nuclear explosion.
After the test, the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Bajpai decleared that we have become nation of powerful nuclear capacity; but he stated that the 'Comprehensive Ban Treaty' is discriminatory.