India Conducts Nuclear Tests, Declares Itself Nuclear Power

On May 11, 1998, India conducted three underground nuclear explosions at Pokhran, Rajasthan, under Operation Shakti, also known as Pokhran-II. The tests included a 45 kt thermonuclear device, a 15 kt fission device, and a 0.2 kt sub-kiloton device, according to an official press statement.

India's first nuclear test, Operation Smiling Buddha, was conducted on May 18, 1974, at Pokhran, with then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi describing it as a "peaceful nuclear explosion".

The 1998 tests were defended by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who stated that the action was necessary for India's national security.

The international community reacted with sanctions and criticism, with India facing isolation and losing access to critical nuclear fuel and technology.

The immediate outlook is that the Indian government will continue to develop its nuclear program, with the country declaring itself a nuclear weapons state despite not being a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).