1974- The test, codenamed "Smiling Buddha," took place on May 18, 1974, at the Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan.
In 1974, India conducted its first successful nuclear test, code-named "Smiling Buddha," at the Pokhran Test Range in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan. This historic event marked India's entry into the group of nuclear-armed nations. It was a peaceful nuclear explosion, and India became the sixth country in the world to possess nuclear weapons. The test, conducted under the leadership of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, had significant implications for India's national security and its standing in global geopolitics. It also triggered debates on nuclear proliferation and arms control and had a lasting impact on India's foreign policy and security strategy. |
