IGNOUMATIC

Pokhran-II, also known as Operation Shakti, refers to a series of five nuclear tests conducted by India on May 11 and 13, 1998, at the Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan. This event marked India’s second major nuclear weapons testing after the first successful test in 1974, known as Smiling Buddha. The decision to conduct Pokhran-II was made under the leadership of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and the tests were hailed as a significant milestone in India’s nuclear capabilities.

The Context and Motivation for Pokhran-II:

India’s nuclear policy has been rooted in its commitment to deterrence rather than the first-use of nuclear weapons. The decision to conduct Pokhran-II was influenced by several factors:

1. Security Concerns: The nuclear tests were partly a response to the growing military capabilities of neighboring countries, especially China and Pakistan. The tests were seen as a way to assert India’s security in a region where both its neighbors were also developing nuclear weapons.
2. International Pressure: Throughout the 1990s, India was under increasing pressure from the international community to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), but India’s stance remained that it would not sign the treaty without changes to ensure the rights of non-nuclear states. Pokhran-II was, therefore, a defiant message to the global powers, demonstrating India’s nuclear autonomy.
3. Strategic Autonomy: The tests were also viewed as an assertion of India’s strategic autonomy. By developing its nuclear arsenal, India aimed to enhance its geopolitical leverage and enhance its role in global security discussions.

The Tests and their Outcome:

On May 11, 1998, India conducted its first set of three nuclear tests, which included one fusion bomb (hydrogen bomb). Two more tests were conducted on May 13, 1998, bringing the total number to five. The tests were successful, confirming India’s capability to design and build nuclear weapons.

The results of Pokhran-II were mixed in terms of their international impact. While India’s nuclear capabilities were acknowledged, the tests also led to significant diplomatic consequences:

1. Global Reaction: The global reaction was mixed. The United States, the European Union, and Japan strongly condemned the tests, imposing economic sanctions on India. In contrast, Israel and Russia were more supportive, understanding India’s security concerns.
2. Impact on India-Pakistan Relations: The nuclear tests escalated tensions with Pakistan, which conducted its own series of nuclear tests in Chagai Hills, Balochistan, shortly after India’s tests. This led to a nuclear arms race in South Asia, with both countries increasingly focusing on their nuclear arsenals.
3. International Pressure and Sanctions: The tests led to India facing sanctions, including restrictions on the supply of critical technologies. The United Nations Security Council did not impose punitive measures, but countries like the United States and Canada pushed for economic and military sanctions.

The Aftermath of Pokhran-II:

Despite the international backlash, Pokhran-II helped to solidify India’s status as a nuclear-armed power. Over the following years, India pursued a policy of minimum credible deterrence—a stance where it maintained a nuclear arsenal sufficient to deter any nuclear aggression without engaging in an arms race.

India’s No First Use (NFU) Policy: India has consistently maintained a No First Use policy, which states that it would not use nuclear weapons first in a conflict but would retaliate if attacked with nuclear weapons. This policy has been a cornerstone of India’s nuclear strategy.

Implications for India’s Global Standing:

Pokhran-II marked a turning point in India’s engagement with the world on nuclear issues. It underscored India’s defiance of the global nuclear order dominated by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and established India as a key player in the nuclear world order. However, it also signaled that India was willing to chart its own course in terms of national security.

In the years following the tests, India took steps to normalise its nuclear status in the global order. One of the major diplomatic achievements was the India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement (2005), which ended the ban on India’s access to civilian nuclear technology from the international community. This agreement was a significant recognition of India’s nuclear status despite its non-signatory status to the NPT.

Conclusion:

Pokhran-II cemented India’s position as a nuclear power and highlighted its strategic autonomy in shaping its national security policies. Despite facing significant international criticism, the tests were essential for India in asserting its security interests and gaining global recognition. The long-term impact of Pokhran-II can be seen in India’s nuclear policy, its evolving role in global security, and its pursuit of strategic independence on defense matters.