On May 18, 1974, #india conducted its 1st nuclear test, codenamed Operation Smiling Buddha, at #pokhran in Rajasthan. This moment marked India’s entry into the elite club of nuclear-armed nations, making it the 1st country outside the P-5 (US, UK, Russia, China, France) to demonstrate nuclear capability. The test, authorised by then prime minister #indiragandhi, was a response to regional security challenges, including #china’s 1964 nuclear tests and repeated conflicts with Pakistan. The device, with a yield of 12-13 kilotons, was detonated at a secluded army range in the Thar Desert. While India described it as a “peaceful #nuclear explosion,” the test led to widespread global backlash and the formation of the Nuclear Suppliers Group to restrict nuclear technology exports. Yet, it marked a turning point in India’s strategic autonomy. Click on the 🔗 below to read in detail 👇🏽 https://www.instagram.com/p/DJy7OO1PqLk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==