What was operation smiling buddha

The actual yield is subject to some debate. The official yield was set at 12 kilotons, although it more likely that yield was lower, about 8 kilotons. The Indian government referred to the test as a "peaceful" nuclear explosion geared toward exploring such things as enhanced mining techniques, the "stimulation of oil reservoirs to increase both the production rate and the ultimate recovery" of oil, and to conduct other feats of large-scale underground nuclear engineering.

International reaction was negative, and Canada cut off virtually all nuclear assistance. The United States also restricted such collaborations and successfully persuaded India not to carry out further nuclear tests at that time.

Then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru acknowledged as much in his statement on the prospect of an Indian nuclear weapon:. I have no doubt India will develop her scientific researches and I hope Indian scientists will use the atomic force for constructive purposes. But if India is threatened, she will inevitably try to defend herself by all means at her disposal.

With each country in possession of roughly nuclear weapons, South Asia has become arguably the most worrisome nuclear flashpoint — these clashes over historical disputes risk quick escalation to nuclear use. The INR report warned the US government had given a "relatively modest priority" to relevant intelligence collection activities. The White House was more focused on the Vietnam war and "a grand strategy" towards Beijing and Moscow.

However, the small spate of reports about a test had such "apparent reliability and seeming credibility," that they prompted a review of India's nuclear intentions by INR and other government establishments.

While the US State Department had cautioned India against nuclear tests in late , the concern was never quite overwhelming. The upshot: India succeeded in concealing its plan of preparing for the first nuclear weapons' test at Pokhran on May 18, During Pokhran-II tests, Indian scientists calculated the orbits of US spy satellites and moved their equipment at times when they believed there was nothing above them.

India's long experience in space program had made the scientists capable of determining what satellites are in which orbit. Nifty 17, Honeywell 45, Market Watch. ET NOW. Brand Solutions. Video series featuring innovators.

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