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The “Smiling Buddha” is a code name given to India’s first successful nuclear bomb test conducted on May 18, 1974, at Pokhran, Rajasthan, India. The event brought India into the club of countries that possessed nuclear weapons.

The Smiling Buddha test was a surprise for the international community and created a wave of fear and tension among its neighboring countries, such as Pakistan and China. The test led to a massive technological breakthrough for India, making it the sixth country in the world to have nuclear capabilities.

History of Smiling Buddha

The development of India’s nuclear program can be traced back to 1947 when the United Kingdom conducted its first nuclear test in the Australian desert. The test led to the birth of the Indian nuclear program, which aimed to achieve nuclear power as well as nuclear weapons.

Soon after, India established the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to control the nuclear activities of the country. Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, who is commonly known as the father of India’s nuclear program, was appointed as the chairman of the DAE and started his work towards making India a nuclear power.

After several years of research and development, India conducted its first nuclear test, code-named “Smiling Buddha,” on May 18, 1974, at Pokhran, Rajasthan, India. The test shocked the world and propelled India into the realm of nuclear countries.

The Test and Its Impact

The “Smiling Buddha” test was conducted underground, and the results showed that the bomb had an explosive yield of 8 kilotons of TNT. The test was a significant achievement for India, and it made India the sixth nuclear state in the world after the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, France, and China.

The test had a profound impact on international relations and created tension among India’s neighboring countries, especially Pakistan and China. China, which had already established nuclear weapons, was concerned about India’s development and progression in the nuclear arena. Pakistan, which had been in the midst of a political crisis, was alarmed at India’s nuclear capabilities and immediately started working towards developing its own nuclear program.

The Smiling Buddha test brought India under the scrutiny of the international community and led to criticism from many countries, including the United States and the European Union. The test also led to India’s isolation in the international community and affected its relationship with the United States. The United States imposed sanctions on India, banning the sale of dual-use and high-technology items, and also cut off aid to India.

India’s Nuclear Policy

India’s nuclear policy is based on the “no-first-use” principle, which means that India will not use nuclear weapons first and will only use them in the event of a nuclear attack on India or its interests. India’s nuclear policy is also based on the principles of deterrence, which suggests that India will use nuclear weapons to deter any potential threat or attack on its country.

The Indian government has also been involved in several international initiatives to limit the proliferation of nuclear weapons and promote disarmament. India is a signatory to several international treaties, including the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The “Smiling Buddha” test was a game-changer for India and propelled it into the realm of nuclear powers. The test had a significant impact on international relations and created tension among India’s neighboring countries. The test also led to India’s international isolation and affected its relations with the United States.

India’s nuclear policy is based on the principles of deterrence and the “no-first-use” policy. The Indian government has also been involved in several international initiatives to limit the proliferation of nuclear weapons and promote disarmament. The “Smiling Buddha” test will always be remembered as a significant event in India’s history, marking its progress towards nuclear power.

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