“On this day in 1998, the NDA government finally exercised India’s nuclear option. This momentous decision has since ensured our national security. The current NDA government has built on this foundation by resolutely opposing terrorism and building our border infrastructure,” EAM wrote on X .
“The country needs to know who stands where when it comes to national security issues. Our political choices are ultimately choices for the future of Bharat,” he added.
Historical context and test details:
Twenty-six years ago, on May 11 and 13, 1998, India conducted a series of nuclear tests at the Pokhran test site in the Rajasthan desert. These tests, known as the Shakti series, included a 45 kt thermonuclear weapon, a 15 kt fission device and a 0.2 kt subkiloton device on May 11, followed by two more tests in the subkiloton range (0.5 kt) on May 13 and 0.3 thousand tons). The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) later confirmed the test results based on radiochemical tests of samples from the wells. Recalling the event, Jaishankar said, “This momentous decision ensured our national security.” He further added, “The present NDA government has built on this foundation by resolutely fighting terrorism and building our border infrastructure.” His comments underscore the government’s commitment to maintaining and strengthening national security measures initiated by the 1998 tests. The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), in its press release of September 15, 2009, stated that at the AEC meeting held on May 21, 1998 The Commission was informed about the technical details of the tests. At the Commission meetings on March 26, 1999 and November 18, 1999, the results of radiochemical analysis of samples from the wells were presented, confirming the estimated yields. The AEC, in a press release dated September 15, 2009, noted that the effectiveness of the fusion test was further confirmed by comparing ground motion and displacement simulations with actual field observations.
The AEC statement said that “The AEC therefore has no reason to doubt the outcome of the thermonuclear test conducted on May 11, 1998.”
The 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests remain a milestone in India’s history, symbolizing the country’s commitment to national security.
(With inputs from TOI, ANI)
