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Operation Smiling Buddha - Origin, Repercussion, Aftermath & More

Last Updated on Nov 08, 2023
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Operation Smiling Buddha was the secret name for India’s first successful nuclear bomb test on May 18, 1974. The Indian Army exploded the bomb on the army base Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan, under the supervision of many important Indian generals. India, on May 18, 1974, was also celebrating Buddha Purnima, because of which its first nuclear test was named Operation Smiling Buddha. Raja Ramanna, the then-director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), supervised Operation Smiling Buddha.

Operation Smiling Buddha

Operation Smiling Buddha is significant for the UPSC Prelims and GS Paper 2 of the UPSC Mains curriculum. 

This article will provide all features and necessary information on Operation Smiling Buddha. Study major topics of International Relations from the perspective of UPSC Exams.

Recent Update
  • In 2022, India commemorated the 48th anniversary of its first nuclear test in Pokhran, Rajasthan.
  • India has kept its self-imposed pledge not to deploy nuclear weapons on another country. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently stated that India’s NFU (No First Use) commitment in the future may “depend on conditions.”

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What was Operation Smiling Buddha?

Operation Smiling Buddha was India's first successful nuclear weapons test. It took place on May 18, 1974, at the Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan. India became the sixth country in the world to possess nuclear weapons. The test involved a fission device, and its success marked a significant milestone in India's nuclear program. It had both domestic and international implications, leading to concerns and discussions about nuclear proliferation in South Asia.

Origins of Operation Smiling Buddha Nuclear Test

  • Following India’s independence from the British Empire, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru approved Homi Bhabha’s proposal for constructing a nuclear programme. For his contributions to the Indian nuclear programme, Homi J. Bhabha was named “the Father of the Indian Nuclear Programme.”
  • Earlier, the focus of India was on peaceful development as India was in favour of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
  • Later seeing the powerful countries bolstering their presence and highlighting their hegemony, India chose to opt out of it, and finally, in 1954, weapons designing and production started.
  • Two key institutes, Trombay Atomic Energy in Mumbai and the founding of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), gave a significant boost to India’s nuclear weapons development.

Development Teams and Sites for Operation Smiling Buddha
  • The development team for Operation Smiling Buddha consisted of Indian scientists and engineers.
  • The primary test site for Operation Smiling Buddha was the Pokhran Test Range in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan.
  • Pokhran was chosen for its remote location and vast, arid terrain, which provided secrecy and safety for the nuclear test.
  • The nuclear device was developed and prepared at multiple sites, including the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai and other research facilities.
  • The entire operation was conducted with great secrecy, and even the development team was unaware of the exact nature of the test until shortly before it occurred.

Pokhran-I Nuclear Test and The Nuclear Device Detonation
  • Homi Jehangir Bhabha created the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in 1944, which launched the nuclear programme.
  • Following independence, then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru authorised the programme on peaceful development.
  • Under Bhabha, the programme shifted toward weapon design and manufacture, and research expanded rapidly from 1954 to 1959.
  • Following Bhabha’s death, physicist Raja Ramanna oversaw all scientific research on nuclear weapons and served as the first directing officer of a small team of scientists that conducted the tests.
  • When Lal Bahadur Shastri became Prime Minister, he nominated scientist Vikram Sarabhai to lead the nuclear programme, but he guided it toward peaceful goals due to his Gandhian views.
  • When Indira Gandhi became Prime Minister in 1967, the nuclear programme was restarted with vigour.
  • Indira Gandhi authorised the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre to build and test a nuclear weapon in September 1972.
  • The highest command of the Indian Army was kept fully aware of the test preparations, which were carried out under the watchful eye of the political leadership, with civilian experts aiding.
  • The weapon was technically known as the “Peaceful Nuclear Explosive,” but it was more commonly known as the Smiling Buddha.

Also, check out Types of Nuclear Reactors here.

The Nuclear device Detonation

  • A nuclear blast (a nuclear detonation) is caused by joining or splitting atoms (fusion and fission) to generate an intense pulse or wave of heat, light, air pressure, and radiation.
  • The device was implosion-type and was similar to the Fat Man, an American nuclear bomb that had destroyed the Japanese city of Nagasaki decades before.

Significance of Pokhran-I
  • The Pokhran 1 nuclear tests launched India on a path that led to the world’s recognition of India as more than just nuclear power. Simply put, it aided in getting India a seat at the global high table.
  • Because the data set from the Pokhran nuclear test 1974 test was restricted, it validated new designs to ensure the credibility of nuclear deterrence.
  • Another key significance was establishing India as a responsible state with a flawless non-proliferation record.
  • After accomplishing this achievement, India became the sixth country in the world to conduct a nuclear test.
  • Operation Smiling Buddha Nuclear Test drew international attention because India became the first nation other than the five permanent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) members to carry out the test.

Know in detail about Nuclear Energy.

The repercussion of Operation Smiling Buddha
  • Response of Pakistan: Pakistan replied with a tit-for-tat nuclear test. South Asia has suddenly emerged as the world’s nuclear hotspot. Two weeks later, Pakistan reacted with its nuclear explosions, defying international leaders’ calls for prudence.
  • Reconciliation with the US: Following the disclosure of the nuclear tests, India launched a large worldwide outreach campaign, beginning with the United States. They laid the groundwork for reconciliation with the global nuclear system and reshaped our relationship with the United States.
  • Criticism by the US: US Administration criticised the tests, expressed “great disappointment,” and then imposed sanctions on India.
  • Response of Britain: Britain expressed “dismay,” while Germany dubbed it a “slap in the face” to the countries that ratified the CTBT.
  • Economic Sanctions: The United States implemented economic sanctions, while other European countries and Japan suspended help.
  • Impact on India’s Relations: The nuclear tests conducted by India have significantly changed its relationship with its neighbours and the rest of the globe. Several developed nations, particularly the United States, imposed sanctions on India because they believed the Pokhran Nuclear test might lead to nuclear proliferation.

Also, learn about the Pillars of Nuclear Doctrine of India – Notes for UPSC here!

Pokhran-II
  • The Pokhran Nuclear test was designed to give India the potential to produce fission and thermonuclear bombs with yields of up to 200 kilotons. India opted to undertake nuclear tests in response to China’s nuclear capacity and Pakistan’s urgent efforts to obtain nuclear weapons with China’s assistance.
  • The Indian position on the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) is also moral. India has stated that it would neither sign nor ratify the CTBT in its current discriminatory form. Conversely, India has promised to maintain its voluntary and unilateral embargo on additional nuclear tests.
  • The Pokhran 2 nuclear tests were a series of five nuclear bomb tests performed by India in May 1998 at the Indian Army’s Pokhran Test Range. Pakistan’s tests quickly followed test explosions at Pokhran.
  • Despite playing a key role in the discussions, India did not join the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) because the obvious inequity was detrimental to our interests. Despite Western resistance and sanctions, India conducted peaceful nuclear tests in 1974 and military tests in 1998.

Also, check out Yudh Abhyas Military Exercise here.

Aftermath of Operation Smiling Buddha
  • Indira Gandhi's popularity surged after the nuclear tests, which had been relatively stagnant since the 1971 Indo-Pak conflict.
  • The Congress Party also benefited from this popularity boost in the Indian Parliament.
  • Despite India's claims of peaceful purposes, the international community strongly opposed the nuclear tests.
  • In response, the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) was formed to prevent global nuclear proliferation, imposing safeguards for future nuclear exports in 1992 and restricting India's access.
  • The 2008 Indo-US Civilian Nuclear Agreement lifted these restrictions.
  • Unconvinced of India's peaceful intentions, Pakistan refused to accept Indian dominance and initiated its nuclear weapons program in response to Operation Smiling Buddha.
  • Operation Smiling Buddha remains a significant moment in modern Indian history, regardless of its outcomes.

Conclusion

Operation Smiling Buddha was the first confirmed nuclear test conducted by a country, not a permanent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) member. Though the exact yield of the weapon that exploded at Pokhran is unknown, it is estimated to be between 8 and 12 Kilotons of TNT. The highlight of the test was India’s ability to elude detection by the US and other spy services. Although the test was successful, the aftermath of the nuclear test was not in India’s favour, as several developed nations, particularly the United States, put sanctions on India because they believed the Pokhran Nuclear test might lead to nuclear proliferation. However, it was only the beginning for India since it led to another successful nuclear testing programme at the exact location, termed the Pokhran-II tests, in 1998.

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Operation Smiling Buddha - FAQs

In 1974, India's first successful nuclear bomb test was codenamed Operation Smiling Buddha.

India successfully tested its first nuclear weapon at Pokhran, Rajasthan, in 1974.

During Operation Shakti, five nuclear devices were tested.

The Pokhran test, according to Smiling Buddha, was a "peaceful nuclear explosion." It established India as a nuclear power.

The NSG was founded in the aftermath of India's nuclear tests in May 1974.

Operation Smiling Buddha was led by Dr. Raja Ramanna.

First nuclear test in India was conducted on May 18, 1974, in the Indian Army's Test Range in Pokhran, Rajasthan.
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