This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.

Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.

January 1989
The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) believes it has information that suggests India is working on a thermonuclear weapons development program. In 1989, India imported beryllium from West Germany; beryllium is apparently required in the production of thermonuclear weapons.
—Sanjiv Prakash "Is India Making a Thermonuclear Weapon," Defense and Foreign Affairs Weekly (Alexandria, VA), 15-21 January, 1990, p. 1.

6 January 1989
An official spokesperson from the Indian Ministry of External Affair denies reports that India illegally imported "reflective material and cadmium tubes" from the West German firms of Nueu Techonolgien GMPH (NTG) and Physikalishch Technische Beratung (PTB) between 1982-88. These two items are considered nuclear-related material. The spokesperson says the reflective materials used in Indian research reactors are beryllium-oxide, graphite, and heavy water. Therefore, "no such reflective material has been imported from West Germany." He adds that India had imported some cadmium-bearing stainless tubes from NTG, but only after an open competitive bid.
—"India Denies Importing Nuclear Material from Germany," Xinhua (Beijing), 6 January 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 6 January 1989, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

9 January 1989
Director of the Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research (IGCAR) C.V. Sundaram reports that Kamini, India's first research reactor to use uranium-233 as fuel, is expected to be commissioned in June at Kalpakkam. Sundaram says Kamini "is being set up as a first step in harnessing the energy potential in abundant thorium resources in the country." The reactor will be primarily used as a source of "neutrons for radiography, neutron activation analysis and radiation physics experiments." Kamini is the world's first reactor to use unanium-233. When commissioned, it will be India sixth research reactor.
—"India's First Uranium-233 Research Reactor to be Commissioned in June," Xinhua (Beijing), 9 January 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 6 January 1989, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

29 January 1989
The West German magazine Der Spiegel reports the West German government allowed Degussa, a West German Firm located near Frankfurt, to provide the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) with 95kg of beryllium. Beryllium can act as a neutron deflector in the manufacture of nuclear weapons.
—"Germans Allowed Nuclear Export to India, Magazine Says; Degussa," Kyoto News Service (Tokyo), 29 January 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 30 January 1989, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

2 February 1989
The West German Firm Degussa AC confirms it exported 95kg of US-origin beryllium (Be) without US government authorization to India's Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) in 1984. Degussa officials say they only exported the Be after receiving export permits from Bonn. A Spokesperson from the Federal Ministry of Research & Technology (BMFT) in Bonn says, "We have nothing in our files clarifying the 1984 export." However, according to a note from export officials at the German Foreign Office dated 12 March 1984, the BMFT reviewed the export in writing, concluding that "information obtained in the meantime has confirmed the plausibility of the alleged end-use" for the Be, writes Nuclear Fuel. According to export officials, the Be exported to BARC was not pure enough to be used in India's nuclear weapons program. In a note dated 13 December 1983, the Foreign Office stated, Be is nuclear-relevant "only when it is at least 99.5 percent pure." The beryllium shipped to India was believed to be between 98 percent and 99 percent pure. One West German source believes the BMFT blundered in licensing the Be shipment to India because they confused the nuclear relevance of Be metal to that of Be nitrate, a compound that has no nuclear relevance. In reviewing an application of Be nitrate shipment to Pakistan dated 27 September 1983, BMFT "has ascertained many times in the past that chemical compounds of Be have no nuclear relevance." US officials say that Be nitrate can act as a "good intermediate compound" and with no trouble be converted into Be oxide and then Be metal. "If all you can get is Be nitrate, you have a lot cheaper source of BE metal than the raw ore," says one US source.
—Mark Hibbs and Michael Knapik, "Some German Officials Puzzled by Okay for Beryllium Export to India," Nuclear Fuel, 20 February 1989, p. 10.

6 February 1989
During an interview with the Times of India, French Minister of Research and Technology Hubert Curien states France has offered to sell India two enriched uranium-fuelled, pressurized water reactors of 900MW each. Curien also offers cooperation in the other sophisticated nuclear technology areas such as fast breeder reactors and laser uranium enrichment technology. New Delhi has specifically requested that France participate in a turn-key project. Nucleonics Week reports that India expects a "technology transfer to accompany the reactor offer, which will lead to joint construction of nuclear plants with a higher content of Indian manufactured components. French Prime Minister Mitterrand reiterated that any French participation in India's nuclear industry will follow the London nuclear exporters' guidelines and post-1978 French nuclear export policy.
—"France offers two Nuclear Thermal Reactors to India," Xinhua (Beijing), 6 February 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 6 February 1989, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Ann Mac Lachlan, "French Industry Gearing up For Renewed Cooperation with India," Nucleonics Week, 16 February 1989, pp. 1, 11.

12 March 1989
The Narora nuclear reactor reaches criticality and is expected to begin commercial operations within six months.
—"India: Narora Reactor Generates First Electricity," Nucleonics Week, August 1989, p. 18.

13 March 1989
Indian Minister of State for Science and Technology K.R. Narayanan informs parliament that the first unit of the Narora nuclear power station in Uttar Pradesh has gone critical. The Narora nuclear power facility consists of two 235MW pressurized heavy water reactors. Both use natural uranium as fuel, and heavy water as a moderator and coolant. The first unit is expected to reach full commercial operating capacity in six months. With the commissioning of the Narora plant, India now has three nuclear power stations in operation with a total installed capacity of 1,230MW.
—"Narora Nuclear Power Station goes Critical in India," Xinhua (Beijing), 13 March 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 13 March 1989, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

29 March 1989
Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Natwar Singh reiterates India's position on signing a bilateral or regional agreement with Pakistan on the nuclear issue. He says any bilateral or regional proposal by Pakistan has "never been acceptable to us (India) as we feel that this issue can only be tackled on a global basis, given the global reach of nuclear weapons." Pakistan has proposed that all the South Asian countries, including India, sign a regional nuclear nonproliferation treaty and declare the region a zone of peace.
—"India Reiterates Stand against Pakistan Proposal on Nuclear Issue," Xinhua (Beijing), 29 March 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 29 March 1989, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

6 April 1989
The Managing Director of India's Nuclear Power Corporation (NPC), S.L. Kati, says the Gandhi government has approved a proposal to "install six 500MW power units, of which four will be located in the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station, and two in Tarapur," with a total investment of 90 billion rupees (about $6 billion). The NPC is awaiting clearance for an additional six 500MW nuclear units. India's current installed nuclear power capacity is 1,230MW.
—"India Poised to Reach 10,000MW Nuclear Power by 2000," Xinhua (Beijing), 6 April 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 6 April 1989, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

3 May 1989
K.R. Narayanan, Minister of State for Atomic Energy, tells parliament India will establish three nuclear fuel plants in order to indigenously produce nuclear fuel for power reactors, seamless stainless steel tubes and zircaloy components required for the county's nuclear program. The new plants will be set up in Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh), Turandih (Bihar State) and Palayakayal (Tamil Nadu State) at a cost of 12,000 million rupees ($800 million).
—"India to Set up Nuclear Fuel Components Plants," Xinhua (Beijing), 3 May 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 3 May 1989, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

5 May 1989
The Department of Atomic Energy's (DAE) annual report for 1988-89 states India's nuclear power generation increased to 6,068 million units in 1988, an increase of 14 percent from the previous year.
—"6,068 Million Units of Nuclear Power Generated in India in 1988," Xinhua (Beijing), 5 May 1998; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 5 May 1989, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

11 May 1989
C.V. Sundaram, director of the Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research (IGCAR) at Kalpakkam, tells the Press Trust of India that India's fast breeder test reactor (FBTR) has been restarted. Originally commissioned in 1985, the 40MW experimental reactor was shut down in May 1987 because of a fuel handling mishap. Sundaram adds the "fast breeder reactor is using indigenously made plutonium-uranium carbide fuel." An FBTR reactor produces more plutonium than it actually consumes as fuel.
—"India's Fast Breeder Test Reactor Restarted," Xinhua (Beijing), 13 May 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 13 May 1989, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

23 June 1989
India and Pakistan are readmitted to the Nuclear Power Plant Operators Safety Group, which comprises countries using Canadian supplied nuclear power systems. Other member countries in the group include Canada, Romania, South Korea, and Argentina. India was suspended from the group after it exploded its first nuclear device in 1974. Similarly, Pakistan was suspended in 1976, when it refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
—"Pakistan, India Rejoin N-Power Plant Operations Group," Kyodo News Service (Tokyo), 23 June 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 23 June 1989, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

8 July 1989
In a lecture on "Nuclear Power – Technological and Managerial Challenges" in Hyderabad, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman M.R. Srinivasan says India's objective of "self-reliance in nuclear power is being fully achieved in the sense that by 2000, 26 of the 32 reactors then in operation will be based on indigenous design and technology." Current estimates suggest India has uranium resources to support 10,000-15,000MW generating capacity.
—"India to Build Two Big Nuclear Reactors with Soviet Help," Xinhua (Beijing), 8 July 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 23 June 1989, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

16 July 1989
During a banquet honoring Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto says her country is willing to enter into "any arrangement" that would prevent the spread of nuclear arms in South Asia. "We should insure South Asia remains free of nuclear weapons," Bhutto says. Indian officials say New Delhi will not accept any Indo-Pakistani agreement on banning nuclear weapons in South Asia because it would not include China.
—Sanjoy Hazarika, "At Reception for Visiting Gandhi, Bhutto Urges Nuclear Arms Ban," New York Times, 16 July 1989, p. A2; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 17 July 1989, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

18 July 1989
Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi claims that Pakistan's nuclear program is not under the control of Benazir Bhutto's civilian government. He says, "Unlike our program, which is open and discussed in parliament, theirs is under the control of the military. Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto replies that her government is in full control of Pakistan's nuclear program.
—"Bhutto and Gandhi Clash on N-Power," Financial Times (London), 18 July 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 18 July 1989, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

29 July 1989
The first unit of the Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS) is synchronized with India's northern power grid. Located in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, the Narora station "consists of two pressurized heavy water reactors with a 235MW capacity each, using natural uranium as fuel and heavy water as a moderator and coolant." The second unit is scheduled to reach criticality by May 1990.
—"Narora Atomic Power Station Synchronized with Northern Power Grid in India," Xinhua (Beijing), 1 August 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 August 1989, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; ––"India: Narora Reactor Generates First Electricity," Nucleonics Week, August 1989, p. 18.

27 August 1989
Head of Bhabha Atomic Research Center's (BARC) radiometallurgy division, C. Ganguly announces that BARC has successfully fabricated fuel sub-assemblies of uranium-233 to be irradiated by Kamini, India's new 30MW light water research reactor, reports Nucleonics Week. Located at BARC, Kamini will be the first reactor in the world to use U-233 as a core fuel. He says U-233 is the most efficient form of fissile material used in thermal reactors, and is produced from naturally occurring thorium-232, of which India has abundant natural reserves totaling 360,000MT. Kamini is expected become critical this fall.
—Neel Patri, "India Claims Success in Fabricating U-233 Fuel Subassemblies for Kamini," Nucleonics Week, 4 September 1989, p. 7.

8 September 1989
K. Balaramamoorthy, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Fuels Complex (NFC) located in Hyderabad, reports that "seamless calandria tubes" have been manufactured at the NFC. Calandria tubes act as a barrier between the moderator and the hot pressure tubes. Tests have shown calandria tubes "neither contract nor elongate during the life time of the reactor," and are considered "superior to the existing seam-welded tubes as they have better mechanical, metallurgical and structural properties."
—"India Develops Seamless Calandria Tubes for Nuclear Reactors," Xinhua (Beijing), 8 September 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 8 September 1989, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

15 October 1989
Prime Minster Rajiv Gandhi formally commissions the first unit of the Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS), India's fourth atomic power station. Since the unit was synchronized with India's northern power grid on 29 July, it has been running at 50 percent capacity under testing. The unit will begin full commercial operations by the end of 1989.
—"1st Unit of the 4th Indian Nuclear Power Station Commissioned," Xinhua (Beijing), 16 October 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 16 October 1989, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

10 November 1989
The first committee of the United Nations (UN) Assembly approves a draft resolution calling on the states of South Asia to establish a nuclear-weapons-free zone in the region. The resolution, sponsored by Pakistan and Bangladesh, is adopted by a vote of 102 in favor and three against (India, Bhutan, and Mauritius), with 30 abstentions. The original concept of a South Asian nuclear-weapons-free zone was proposed by Pakistan in 1974 during the 29th UN General Assembly.
—"UN Resolution Adopted to Establish Nuclear-Weapons-Free Zone in South Asia," Xinhua (Beijing); 10 November 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 10 November 1989, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

10 November 1989
India indigenously manufactures a boiler feed pump for use in nuclear power plants at the Bharat Heavy Electrical Plant (BHEL) in Hyderabad. The pump is scheduled to be used in the 235MW nuclear power station at Kakrapar in Gujarat.
—"Pump for Nuclear Power Plant Produced Indigenously," New Delhi Home Service; 10 November 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 22 November 1989, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

6 December 1989
In a reply to the newly elected Indian Prime Minister V.P. Singh's statement, in which he proposes a dialogue with Pakistan on the nuclear issue, Pakistan calls on the new Indian government "to cooperate in turning South Asia into a nuclear-weapon-free-zone." Pakistan also urges the Singh government to accept Pakistan's previous plan under which South Asia would be declared a nuclear-weapons-free zone; India and Pakistan would make a joint declaration not to produce nuclear weapons; both countries would place their nuclear installations under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards; both countries would allow bilateral mutual nuclear inspections; both countries would simultaneously sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT); and India and Pakistan would renounce nuclear testing, and sign a nuclear test ban treaty.
—"Pakistan Urges India to Cooperate for Nuclear-Free South Asia," Xinhua (Beijing), 6 December 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 6 December 1989, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

18 December 1989
After meeting with new Indian Prime Minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh in New Delhi, International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) Director Hans Blix says he does not foresee any change in India's policy regarding the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). He says, "I have the impression that there is no modification in the Indian nuclear policy." M.R. Srinivasan, Chairman of the Indian Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) says only Tarapur and Rajasthan nuclear power facilities are under international safeguards due to bilateral agreements with the Untied States and Canada. The two proposed 1,000MW reactors from the Soviet Union will also be under safeguards. "The rest of the Indian plants will not come under safeguards," Srinivasan says.
—"Blix Sees No Change in India's NPT Policy," Nucleonics Week, 21 December 1989, p. 13.

	Updated October 2003