May 11 marked the 10th anniversary of the Pokhran nuclear weapons tests. The celebrations were at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai. Former President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was the Chief Guest on the occasion. It was time to rejoice the memories of the successful nuclear tests at Pokhran on May 11 and 13, 1998. Former Chiefs of Atomic Energy were present on the occasion. Just to remind the readers, India’s first successful nuke test was on May 18, 1974 at Pokhran on a Buddha Purnima Day. The celebration of the Pokhran day perhaps indicates that the option of nuclear tests, particularly hydrogen bomb tests (as suggested by one of the former AEC Chiefs) is still alive.
The capability of India in this field is now well established and India need not prove this to other countries. As per the present AEC Chairman, a moratorium was declared by the government in view of the fact that the tests of Pokhran II have generated enough data and a lot of advances had been made in simulation technology.
In view of the constraints of the on-going Indo-US nuclear deal deliberations, the option of nuclear tests in the future should not be surrendered. India needs to continue the nuclear-confidence building measures keeping China’s threat in mind. India should build up enough capabilities to deter a nuclear attack on its commercial and strategic assets. The recent successful launch of Agni III is in the right direction. India, due to acute shortage of uranium for its nuclear power reactors, needs US support for fuel, as a short term measure. In the long term, US may need India’s support in sustaining nuclear power worldwide via thorium fuel cycle capabilities.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
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