Question-related to operation Shakti?
VerifiedAnswer: Pokhran II test Assigned the code name Operation Shakti
Explanation:
Operation Shakti was the code name given to India's second series of nuclear tests, commonly known as Pokhran II. These tests took place in May 1998 at the Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan, marking a crucial moment in India's nuclear history and establishing the country as a declared nuclear power.
The operation was conducted under the leadership of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and involved a series of five nuclear tests between May 11 and May 13, 1998. The first three tests were conducted on May 11, 1998, which included one fusion bomb and two fission bombs. Two additional tests were carried out on May 13, 1998, involving sub-kiloton devices.
The name "Shakti" holds deep significance in Indian culture, as it represents divine feminine energy and power in Hindu philosophy. This choice of name reflected India's demonstration of its nuclear capabilities and technological prowess on the world stage. The operation was conducted with utmost secrecy, and even many senior government officials were kept unaware of the plans until the last moment.
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who later became India's President, played a crucial role as the chief coordinator of Operation Shakti. The scientific team was led by Dr. R. Chidambaram, and the operation involved various defense research organizations including the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Atomic Energy Commission.
The international response to Operation Shakti was mixed, with several countries imposing economic sanctions on India. However, the tests demonstrated India's advanced nuclear technology and scientific capabilities. The operation established India as the sixth country to openly declare its nuclear weapons capability, joining the United States, Russia, United Kingdom, France, and China.
Following Operation Shakti, Pakistan responded with its own nuclear tests in the same month, leading to both countries becoming declared nuclear states. This development significantly altered the strategic balance in South Asia and had lasting implications for regional and global security dynamics.
