❖ On May 18, 1974, India conducted its first nuclear test in Pokhran, code-named Operation Smiling Buddha.

❖ With this, India had entered the league of nations with nuclear capabilities.

❖ With Smiling Buddha, India became the first nation to conduct a nuclear test apart from the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

 ❖ After the nuclear test, there were criticisms that it was an attempt to divert people’s attention from the economic crisis the country was facing in the 1970s.

❖ In 1998, India again conducted a series of nuclear tests in Pokhran once again, code-named Operation Shakti.