India’s nuclear program consists of a nuclear energy program (the first Indian nuclear power plant was put into operation in 1969 ) and a program for the creation and development of nuclear weapons (the first test of nuclear weapons , Operation Smiling Buddha, was conducted on May 8, 1974 ).
Peaceful Nuclear Program
Military Nuclear Program
The first nuclear tests in the framework of the operation "Smiling Buddha " were prepared by the Indian leadership in an atmosphere of pure secrecy. Only the project participants and several statesmen knew about the developments, even the Minister of Defense was informed at the last moment. After successful testing of the device, scientists became national heroes, and the popularity of Indira Gandhi , which decreased after the 1971 war, increased again.