India's Nuclear Journey

The video discusses India's nuclear journey, including the country's nuclear tests and its struggle to establish itself as a powerful nuclear state. It also covers the threats posed by Pakistan, China, and the United States.

The Beginning of the Nuclear Race

• After World War II, countries realized that having a nuclear bomb was necessary to command power in the 21st century.

• In 1945, the US conducted its first nuclear test. Russia followed in 1949, UK in 1952, France in 1960, and China in 1964.

• In 1968, the non-proliferation treaty was signed which stated that non-nuclear states must commit themselves to not manufacture or acquire nuclear weapons while nuclear weapon states commit not to assist any non-nuclear state.

India's Struggle for Nuclear Power

• In May 1998, India conducted three underground nuclear tests after conducting a series of explosive tests.

• This led to sharp reactions from America and several other countries.

• A widespread atomic power industry necessitates an international society where major states have agreed to maintain peace.

• As foreign war and conflicts escalated between China and Taiwan, there was a possibility of a nuclear war.

• In the past when India was still growing economically, U.S., UK., China and Pakistan tried to bully India into suppressing its power. The U.S even considered dropping a bomb on India.

• However due to contributions from leaders like Homi Baba Indira Gandhi Lal Bahadur Shastri Durability and Abdul Kalam, India stands as a powerful nuclear state today.

• This chapter of Indian history is not taught in schools and colleges.

Conclusion

• The video provides an overview of India's journey to become a powerful nuclear state and the threats it faced from other countries.

Why India did not sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty

This section explains why India did not sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Reasons for not signing the treaty

• India did not sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty because it was vulnerable due to border tensions with China and Pakistan.

• In 1962, China launched a massive attack on India, which led to a loss of land.

• In 1965, Pakistan attacked India, leading to the 1965 India-Pakistan War. During this time, India was facing severe food shortages and famine problems.

• Due to this vulnerability, India started speeding up its process of becoming a nuclear state.

The Cold War between India and Pakistan

This section discusses how the cold war between India and Pakistan began.

Steps taken towards nuclear deterrence

• Lal Bahadur Shastri gave the go-ahead for production of nuclear explosives in 1965.

• Homi Baba established world-class institutes like Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and Trombay Atomic Energy Establishment in 1954.

• The launch of Nuclear Explosive Design Group and something called Study of Nuclear Explosions for Peaceful Purposes (SNEPP).

• Homi Baba said that if he had the green signal, India could make a nuclear bomb in just 18 months.

The 1971 Indo-Pak War

This section discusses the events leading up to the Indo-Pak war in 1971.

Operation Searchlight

• In 1971, Pakistan launched Operation Searchlight on East Pakistan (modern-day Bangladesh).

• The Pakistani army killed 3 million Bengalis in one of the bloodiest events in the history of Asia.

• In December 1971, the Pakistani Air Force attacked Indian airfields, giving India legal justification to formally enter the war.

• The United States deployed their 75,000-ton Seven Fleet against India in the Bay of Bengal.

Conclusion

India's decision not to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty was due to its vulnerability caused by border tensions with China and Pakistan. This led to a cold war between India and Pakistan, which eventually resulted in India becoming a nuclear state. The Indo-Pak war in 1971 was a result of Pakistan's actions towards East Pakistan and its attack on Indian airfields.

The Role of Russia in Bangladesh's Independence

This section discusses the role of Russia in helping Bangladesh gain independence from Pakistan.

Russia's Intervention

• Russia intervened in the conflict between Pakistan and Bangladesh by sending a nuclear-armed fleet consisting of two cruisers, two destroyers, support vessels, and six submarines.

• This intervention caused Britain and America to back out, allowing Bangladesh to gain its independence in March 1971.

Threat of Nuclear Bombing by US on India

This section discusses the threat of nuclear bombing by the US on India during the 1971 conflict with Pakistan.

Richard Nixon's Consideration

• In 1971, Richard Nixon considered dropping a nuclear bomb on India.

• The New York Times reported this as a horrific threat looming over India at that time.

India's Nuclear Program Begins

This section discusses how India began its nuclear program after facing threats from other countries possessing nuclear weapons.

Indira Gandhi Authorizes Work on Atomic Bomb

• In 1972, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi authorized work on a nuclear fission device.

• A team of 75 scientists from Baba Atomic Research Center began designing and developing an atomic bomb for India.

First Nuclear Test Conducted

• Two years later, in 1974, India conducted its first nuclear test under an operation called "Smiling Buddha."

• This was not a weapons-grade test but rather a peaceful nuclear explosion that could be used for mining techniques or conducting large underground works.

Economic and Political Hurdles

This section discusses how economic and political hurdles prevented India from pursuing a nuclear status for the next 20 years.

Emergency and Oil Shock

• In 1975, the proclamation of emergency in India meant that not only were elections banned, but there was also strict censoring of the press.

• The period was termed as "The Darkest Hour" in Indian history.

• Additionally, the oil-producing countries of the Arab world reduced oil production by five percent a month until Israel withdrew from occupied territories.

• This caused temporary fuel shortages and some increases in fuel prices in America.

China-Pakistan Nuclear Cooperation

• From 1975 to 1995, India knew that China was sharing technology and materials with Pakistan to develop nuclear weapons.

• The Indian army realized that if Pakistan developed nuclear weapons, India would be cornered by two neighbors who possessed nuclear bombs.

Fulfillment of India's Nuclear Dream

This section discusses how India fulfilled its long-standing nuclear dream despite facing several obstacles.

Ray of Hope

• In 1995, India opened up its economy and started growing at a phenomenal pace.

• This allowed them to focus on their nuclear project once again.

Attempts at Nuclear Testing

• In 1996, Atal Bihari Vajpayee came to power for the third time and brought together three legends - Atal Bihari Vajpayee himself, APJ Abdul Kalam from DRDO, and R Chidamaramji who was the chief of the Department of Atomic Energy in India - to fulfill India's long-standing nuclear dream.

Successful Nuclear Test

• On May 11th, 1998 at around 3:45 PM, India tested three devices which were Shakti 1, Shakti 2, and Shakti 3.

• This was followed by two more detonations of Shakti 4 and Shakti Phi.

• The entire operation was conducted in such high secrecy that nobody except the then home minister knew about it.

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