Operatiopn Smiling Buddha 18th May 1974 Pokhran-I Facts, Significance, Achievements

India Marks The History of 18th May 1974 of Joining Nuclear Club: Interesting Facts, Significance

Today, India marks the history of 18th May, when it joined the nuclear club by conducting its first-ever nuclear test 'Pokhran-I' on 18th May 1974 in Pokhran, Rajasthan.

India on 18th May 1974 had successfully detonated its first nuclear weapon, a fission bomb similar in explosive power to the U.S. atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan.

India’s first nuclear test team comprised of 75 scientists. It was carried out at 8:05 AM in the morning.

India’s first fission bomb had 1.2 Metres of sphericity and it weighted about 1400 Kilograms. The bomb carried an explosive power of 8 to 12 Kilotons TNT.

India’s first nuclear test operation 'Pokhran-I' was named as ‘Smiling Buddha’ because the operation was executed on the occasion of Buddha Purnima.

India’s first nuclear test operation success was indicated with code words "Buddha Decorated" as to state that everything was in place for the test to be executed.

Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi received the message “Buddha has smiled” from the exuberant test-site scientists after the detonation.

Significance and Glorious Achievements

India’s first nuclear test made India the world’s sixth nuclear power, broke the nuclear monopoly of the five members of the U.N. Security Council–the United States, the Soviet Union, Great Britain, China, and France.

India, which suffered continuing border disputes with China, refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1968 so as fearing a second war with China and a fourth war with Pakistan.

India’s first nuclear test set an expanded arms race with Pakistan that saw no further nuclear tests but the development of lethal intermediate and long-range ballistic missiles by both countries.

On 11th May 1998, India resumed nuclear testing, leading to international outrage and Pakistan’s detonation of its first nuclear bomb later in the month.