The truth behind India’s first nuclear test

India’s first nuclear test, codenamed “Smiling Buddha”, was conducted on May 18, 1974, at the Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan. It marked a significant moment in India’s modern history, making it the sixth country in the world to test a nuclear device. Though officially described as a “peaceful nuclear explosion,” the test was a clear demonstration of India’s technological capability and strategic intent. But behind this scientific achievement lay a web of political motivations, secrecy, international tension, and complex decision-making. The truth behind India’s first nuclear test is more nuanced than it may appear—a mix of national security concerns, diplomatic tightrope-walking, and a bold assertion of sovereignty.

India’s interest in nuclear energy dates back to the 1940s, under the leadership of visionary scientist Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, who is widely considered the father of India’s nuclear program. Bhabha’s focus was initially on peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and in 1954, the Atomic Energy Commission was established to develop this capacity. However, the geopolitical climate, especially after China’s nuclear test in 1964 and the lack of international nuclear guarantees, pushed India to reconsider its purely peaceful stance. The idea of developing a nuclear deterrent began gaining traction in India’s strategic and scientific circles.

While publicly committed to disarmament, Indian leaders were aware that nuclear weapons were becoming a critical marker of geopolitical power. By the late 1960s, India had developed enough technical expertise to carry out a nuclear test, but it was Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who made the final decision to go ahead with it, driven by both strategic and political motives.

The decision to test a nuclear device was influenced by multiple factors. One of the key reasons was national security, particularly after the 1962 war with China and China’s nuclear test in 1964, which significantly altered the regional balance of power. India felt vulnerable and isolated, especially as the global nuclear order—dominated by the United States and the Soviet Union—failed to provide India any meaningful security guarantees.

Another major factor was the introduction of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1968, which India refused to sign. The treaty was seen by Indian policymakers as discriminatory, dividing the world into nuclear “haves” and “have-nots,” while freezing the status quo. India’s stand was that disarmament should be universal and non-discriminatory. Testing a nuclear device was, therefore, also a political act of protest against an unfair global nuclear regime.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the 1974 test was the level of secrecy with which it was conducted. The entire operation was closely guarded, with only a handful of top scientists, military officials, and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the loop. Even some senior cabinet members and bureaucrats were kept in the dark. The preparations in Pokhran were carried out under the cover of regular military exercises and scientific work, to avoid detection by foreign intelligence agencies—especially the CIA, which had been monitoring India’s nuclear ambitions.

When the test was finally conducted, the world was taken by surprise. The underground explosion was successful, and India announced that it had carried out a “peaceful nuclear explosion” (PNE), attempting to soften the international response. However, it was clear to most observers that the test had significant military implications, even if no weapon was deployed.

The international reaction was swift and largely negative. Canada, which had supplied nuclear technology and materials for peaceful purposes, accused India of misusing civilian assistance for military ends and cut off cooperation. The United States imposed sanctions and tightened export controls, while other Western countries followed suit. The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) was formed in 1975 in direct response to India’s test, aiming to prevent future diversions of civilian nuclear technology for weapons development.

Despite the diplomatic backlash, India stood its ground. The government defended the test as a sovereign decision made in the national interest and reaffirmed its policy of non-alignment and commitment to global disarmament, even while keeping the option of nuclear deterrence open.

India did not conduct another nuclear test until 1998, but the 1974 explosion laid the foundation for its future nuclear strategy. It sent a clear message that India would not be bullied or sidelined in the global order. Domestically, it boosted national pride and showcased India’s scientific and technological prowess. It also signaled that India would carve its own path—balancing morality and realism in international politics.

The test was not just about nuclear capability—it was a symbol of independence, self-reliance, and strategic assertion. Today, while the 1974 test remains controversial, it is also viewed as a turning point in India’s journey as a responsible nuclear power.

India’s first nuclear test was a calculated move rooted in security concerns, scientific progress, and geopolitical assertion. While the claim of a “peaceful” explosion was diplomatically crafted, the reality was that India had crossed an important nuclear threshold. The 1974 test remains a powerful chapter in India’s history—revealing not only the nation’s technological ambitions but also its complex relationship with global power structures.