India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday (May 11), recalled the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests conducted under the leadership of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and stated that the decision by the NDA government has ever since ensured the country's national security.

On the event's 26th anniversary, he also asserted that the current ruling government was following the previous 1998 NDA government's footsteps and working vigorously towards countering terrorism and fortifying border infrastructure.

Taking to his official X handle, the EAM wrote, "This day in 1998, an NDA Government finally exercised India's nuclear weapon option. That momentous decision has since ensured our National Security. The current NDA Government has built on that foundation, robustly countering terror and building our border infrastructure."

He underlined that the political choices made by the respective governments were eventually made taking into consideration the future of Bharat.

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This day in 1998, an NDA Government finally exercised India’s nuclear weapon option. That momentous decision has since ensured our National Security. 
 
The current NDA Government has built on that foundation, robustly countering terror and building our border infrastructure. 
 
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"The country must know who stands where when it comes to National Security issues. Our political choices are eventually choices about the future of Bharat," he added.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-pm-modi-tells-sharad-pawar-and-uddhav-thackeray-to-join-bjp-led-nda-ncp-sp-leader-responds-720268">Lok Sabha Polls: PM Modi tells Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray to join BJP-led NDA, NCP (SP) leader responds</a>

<h2>Shakti series of nuclear tests at Pokhran</h2>

Today, May 11, 26 years ago, India conducted Shakti series of nuclear tests at Pokhran, which is considered to be a significant moment for the country's nuclear capability in the field of national security and clean energy.

India tested five of its nuclear weapon designs on May 11 and 13 in the year 1998 respectively at the Pokhran range in Rajasthan desert, out of which, the three detonations happened all at once at 15:45 IST on May 11.

These weapons included a 45 kt thermonuclear device, a 15 kt fission device and a 0.2 kt sub-kiloton (i.e. less than 1 kiloton) device.&nbsp;

The other two devices that detonated on May 13 at the same time were also in the sub-kiloton range - 0.5 and 0.3 kt.

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday (May 11), recalled the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests conducted under the leadership of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and stated that the decision by the NDA government has ever since ensured the country's national security.

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday (May 11), recalled the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests conducted under the leadership of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and stated that the decision by the NDA government has ever since ensured the country's national security. On the event's 26th anniversary, he also asserted that the current ruling government was following the previous 1998 NDA government's footsteps and working vigorously towards countering terrorism and fortifying border infrastructure. Taking to his official X handle, the EAM wrote, "This day in 1998, an NDA Government finally exercised India's nuclear weapon option. That momentous decision has since ensured our National Security. The current NDA Government has built on that foundation, robustly countering terror and building our border infrastructure." He underlined that the political choices made by the respective governments were eventually made taking into consideration the future of Bharat. This day in 1998, an NDA Government finally exercised India’s nuclear weapon option. That momentous decision has since ensured our National Security. The current NDA Government has built on that foundation, robustly countering terror and building our border infrastructure. The… — Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) May 11, 2024 × "The country must know who stands where when it comes to National Security issues. Our political choices are eventually choices about the future of Bharat," he added. Also read: Lok Sabha Polls: PM Modi tells Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray to join BJP-led NDA, NCP (SP) leader responds Shakti series of nuclear tests at Pokhran Today, May 11, 26 years ago, India conducted Shakti series of nuclear tests at Pokhran, which is considered to be a significant moment for the country's nuclear capability in the field of national security and clean energy. India tested five of its nuclear weapon designs on May 11 and 13 in the year 1998 respectively at the Pokhran range in Rajasthan desert, out of which, the three detonations happened all at once at 15:45 IST on May 11. These weapons included a 45 kt thermonuclear device, a 15 kt fission device and a 0.2 kt sub-kiloton (i.e. less than 1 kiloton) device. The other two devices that detonated on May 13 at the same time were also in the sub-kiloton range - 0.5 and 0.3 kt. (With inputs from agencies)

EAM Jaishankar recalls 1998 Pokhran test, says ‘decision ensured national security’

Pokhran is a remote location in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district.

With the approval of the then prime minister Indira Gandhi, the Test Range in Pokhran hosted the detonation of India's first nuclear device in 1974.&nbsp;

The test was known as a "Peaceful Nuclear Explosive" among government officials.&nbsp;

After the detonation, it came to be known as Operation Smiling Buddha while the MEA called it " Pokhran I".&nbsp;

The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre preferred to conduct the tests in the remote desert of Rajasthan due to the topography and the weather of the region.&nbsp;

The test was conducted during the month of May when the wind in the region created serious sandstorms. The sandstorms obstruct&nbsp;a clear view to &nbsp;American spy satellites.&nbsp;

Also, the infrared sensors do not pick up such activity due to the temperature that increases over 50 degrees during the daytime.&nbsp;

To maintain the secrecy of the test the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre conducted the nuclear test in Pokhran.

After conducting the test, the government announced that it did not intend to manufacture nuclear weapons but just wanted to make India self-reliant in nuclear technology.&nbsp;

Twenty-four years after the first test was conducted, the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation and Atomic Energy Commission conducted five more nuclear tests on May 11, 1998.&nbsp;

Pokhran is a remote location in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district. With the approval of the then prime minister Indira Gandhi, the Test Range in Pokhran hosted the detonation of India's first nuclear device in 1974.

Pokhran is a remote location in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district. With the approval of the then prime minister Indira Gandhi, the Test Range in Pokhran hosted the detonation of India's first nuclear device in 1974. The test was known as a "Peaceful Nuclear Explosive" among government officials. After the detonation, it came to be known as Operation Smiling Buddha while the MEA called it " Pokhran I". The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre preferred to conduct the tests in the remote desert of Rajasthan due to the topography and the weather of the region. The test was conducted during the month of May when the wind in the region created serious sandstorms. The sandstorms obstruct a clear view to American spy satellites. Also, the infrared sensors do not pick up such activity due to the temperature that increases over 50 degrees during the daytime. To maintain the secrecy of the test the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre conducted the nuclear test in Pokhran. After conducting the test, the government announced that it did not intend to manufacture nuclear weapons but just wanted to make India self-reliant in nuclear technology. Twenty-four years after the first test was conducted, the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation and Atomic Energy Commission conducted five more nuclear tests on May 11, 1998.

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EAM Jaishankar recalls 1998 Pokhran test, says ‘decision ensured national security’

American spy satellites & sandstorms: Why Pokhran was chosen as the test site for India's nukes

How Vajpayee's Pokhran nuclear test surprised the world

India at 75: Pokhran-II: Series of 5 nuclear test explosions in 1998