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. 
 
The…
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1789158429421973517?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2024</a></blockquote>
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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’

Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday paid tributes to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lucknow-pm-modi-unveils-statue-of-former-pm-atal-bihari-vajpayee-on-his-95th-birth-anniversary-270180">former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee</a> on his 95th birth anniversary and said that decisions like Pokharan nuclear tests and Kargil War in the late 1990s created a strong image of India in the world.

"Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji left an indelible mark in Indian politics with his nationalistic thinking, impeccable image and dedicated his life to the nation. In the life of Atal Ji, based on ideology and principles, there was no mere fascination of power. Under his leadership, the country saw good governance," Shah tweeted in Hindi.

"Atal Ji, on the one hand, strengthened the party as an efficient organiser, while on the other hand, decisions like Pokharan nuclear tests and Kargil War created a strong image of India in the world. On the occasion of Atal Ji's birth anniversary, heartiest tributes to him," he said in a follow-up tweet.

Born on December 25, 1924, in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior, Vajpayee was an active member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He was among the founding members of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh.

Known for his eloquence, oratory, he was a member of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, representing Lucknow from the Lower House from 1991 to 2009.

The veteran leader, who led the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government from 1998-2004, was the first-ever person from the BJP to become the Prime Minister.

He served as Prime Minister thrice -- briefly in 1996, from 1998-1999 and then for a full five-year term between 1999 and 2004.

During his tenure, India had carried out the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in Rajasthan in 1998 and the Kargil War between India and Pakistan had broken out in 1999.

Apart from politics, Vajpayee was a prominent writer and has penned a number of poems. After resigning as the prime minister in 2004, the BJP stalwart retired from active politics owing to his feeble health.

In 2015, Vajpayee was bestowed with Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civil honour.

The veteran BJP leader passed away on August 16, 2018, at the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in Delhi following a prolonged illness. December 25 is celebrated as 'Good Governance Day'&nbsp;in honour of Vajpayee.&nbsp;

Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday paid tributes to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 95th birth anniversary and said that decisions like Pokharan nuclear tests and Kargil War in the late 1990s created a strong image of India in the world.

Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday paid tributes to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 95th birth anniversary and said that decisions like Pokharan nuclear tests and Kargil War in the late 1990s created a strong image of India in the world. "Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji left an indelible mark in Indian politics with his nationalistic thinking, impeccable image and dedicated his life to the nation. In the life of Atal Ji, based on ideology and principles, there was no mere fascination of power. Under his leadership, the country saw good governance," Shah tweeted in Hindi. "Atal Ji, on the one hand, strengthened the party as an efficient organiser, while on the other hand, decisions like Pokharan nuclear tests and Kargil War created a strong image of India in the world. On the occasion of Atal Ji's birth anniversary, heartiest tributes to him," he said in a follow-up tweet. Born on December 25, 1924, in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior, Vajpayee was an active member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He was among the founding members of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh. Known for his eloquence, oratory, he was a member of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, representing Lucknow from the Lower House from 1991 to 2009. The veteran leader, who led the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government from 1998-2004, was the first-ever person from the BJP to become the Prime Minister. He served as Prime Minister thrice -- briefly in 1996, from 1998-1999 and then for a full five-year term between 1999 and 2004. During his tenure, India had carried out the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in Rajasthan in 1998 and the Kargil War between India and Pakistan had broken out in 1999. Apart from politics, Vajpayee was a prominent writer and has penned a number of poems. After resigning as the prime minister in 2004, the BJP stalwart retired from active politics owing to his feeble health. In 2015, Vajpayee was bestowed with Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civil honour. The veteran BJP leader passed away on August 16, 2018, at the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in Delhi following a prolonged illness. December 25 is celebrated as 'Good Governance Day' in honour of Vajpayee.

Decisions like Pokhran tests, Kargil War made India stronger globally: Shah hails Vajpayee on birth anniversary

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

Decisions like Pokhran tests, Kargil War made India stronger globally: Shah hails Vajpayee on birth anniversary