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-February 1998
During the 12th parliamentary election campaign, the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) states in its election manifesto that it "rejects the notion of nuclear apartheid and will actively oppose attempts to impose a hegemonic nuclear regime by means of CTBT [Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty], FMCT [Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty] and MTCR [Missile Technology Control Regime]," and will not accept being "dictated by anybody in matters of security requirements and in the exercise of the nuclear option." In the section on national security, the party expresses its determination to: establish a National Security Council to conduct India's "first-ever" Strategic Defense Review (SDR) "to study and analyze the security environment and make appropriate recommendations to cover all aspects of defense requirements and organization." Another objective of the SDR will be to re-evaluate India's nuclear policy, "exercise the option to induct nuclear weapons," to speed up the development of Agni ballistic missiles "with the view to increasing their range and accuracy." According to BJP sources, the word "induct" was included in the manifesto after considerable debate among the moderates and hardliners. The moderates favored more ambiguous phrasing, but the hardliners prevailed. The convener of BJP's external affairs cell Brajesh Mishra explicitly states that the BJP "will weaponize the option" and "do whatever is necessary to become a nuclear weapons power" if necessitated by India's security concerns.
—BJP Election Manifesto'98, <http://www.bjp.org/>; Jyoti Malhotra, "BJP Sets Foreign Policy Agenda," Indian Express (Mumbai), 9 February 1998; in FBIS Document FBIS-TAC-98-040, 9 February 1998, p. 9.

1998
India receives six Il-78 flight refueling tankers from Russia.
—W.P.S. Sidhu, "India Sees Safety in Nuclear Triad and Second Strike Potential," Jane's Intelligence Review (Coulsdon, Surrey), July 1998, p. 23.

March 1998
In the 12th parliamentary elections, no single political party gains a working majority. The right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) forms a coalition government.
—Abha Dixit, "A New Foreign and Defense Policy on the Anvil," Pioneer (New Delhi), 18 March 1998; in FBIS Document FBIS-TAC-98-077, 18 March 1998.

18 March 1998
Indian Prime Minister designate Atal Bihari Vajpayee publicly states that India will induct nuclear weapons "only if necessary." However, there is no specific time frame for induction.
—"N-weapon Induction, If Necessary," Hindu (Chennai), 19 March 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

19 March 1998
Atal Bihari Vajpayee is sworn in as India's prime minister.
—C. Raja Mohan, "Foreign Policy: the BJP's Problem," Hindu (Chennai), 19 March 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

20 March 1998
Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman R. Chidambaram calls on the newly elected Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
—Manoj Joshi, "Nuclear Shock Wave," India Today, 25 May 1998, <http://www.india-today.com>.

21 March 1998
Indian defense minister George Fernandes says the government has put the decision to induct nuclear weapons "on hold." That decision will be made after a national security review has been completed by India's revived National Security Council. According to Fernandes, "We will re-evaluate the policy and to ensure security, we may, if necessary, have to exercise the [nuclear] option."
—"N-option Put On Hold: Fernandes," Hindu (Chennai), 19 March 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

28 March 1998
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led government wins the vote of confidence in parliament with a margin of 13 votes (274-261).
—George Iype, "Vajpayee Wins Vote," Rediff on the Net, 28 March 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

April 1998
According to Jane's Intelligence Review, "a prominent nuclear physicist" from India says that fission bombs are sufficient for India's security needs. The physicist admits that India has the "ingredients" to produce a thermonuclear design but "the process is very complicated" and India might need "more time to design and perfect it for testing."
—T.S. Gopi Rethinaraj, "Indian Blasts Surprise the World, but Leave Fresh Doubts," Jane's Intelligence Review (Coulsdon, Surrey), July 1998, pp. 19-22.

2 April 1998
Defense Minister George Fernandes says foreign countries have no right to advise India on its defense policy. He also says the nuclear policy of the current government does not differ from the policies agreed upon by other political parties.
—"Centre to take up militants issue with Bhutan," Times of India (Mumbai), 3 April 1998, <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/>.

5 April 1998
The Indian news agency UNI reports out that a new Indian supercomputer, PARAM 10,000, can simulate nuclear weapon explosions. [Note: The Center for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), Pune invented "the OpenFrame Architecture for scalable and flexible High Performance Computing unifying the well known NOW (Network of Workstations), COW (Cluster of Workstations) and MPP (Massively Parallel Processor) architectures. This architecture has been realized in C-DAC's new PARAM 10000 series supercomputers, which are scalable from the desktop to teraflop range."]
-—"Indian Super Computer Can Simulate N-Bomb Tests," Dawn (Karachi), 6 April 1998, <http://www.dawn.com>; "Open Frame Architecture of PARAM 10000," The Center for Development of Advanced Computing, <http:// www.cdacindia.com>.

6 April 1998
Pakistan tests its Ghauri medium-range ballistic missile which reportedly can deliver a 700kg payload over a range of 1,500km. A Pakistani foreign ministry spokesperson says the missile hit its "target at a range of 1,100km without any error." The spokesperson adds, "...this test represents a step forward in Pakistan's indigenous missile capability through the dedication and commitment of our scientists and engineers."
—Amit Baruah, "Pak. test-fires 1,500km-range missile," Hindu (Chennai), 7 April 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

6 April 1998
Defense Minister George Fernandes says India is capable of meeting challenges posed by Pakistan's missile program.
—"Entire Pakistan is in Range of Prithvi: Fernandes," Asian Age (New Delhi), 7 April 1998, <http://www.asianageonline.com/>.

7 April 1998
In response to the successful test of a Pakistani surface-to-surface missile, a spokesperson of India's Ministry of External Affairs says India will do "all that is necessary" to assure the country's security.
—"India Will Take Steps to Meet Any Threat, Says MEA," Rediff on the Net, 7 April 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

Early April 1998
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee authorizes preparations for nuclear tests.
—Manoj Joshi, "Nuclear Shock Wave," India Today, 25 May 1998, <http://www.india-today.com>.

10 April 1998
The Indian government sets up a task force to formulate proposals for the constitution of a National Security Council. The task force's prominent appointees include former defense minister and task force chairman K.C. Pant, Director of the Institute of Defense Studies and Analyses, Jasjit Singh, and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman, Jaswant Singh.
—Rajesh Ramachandran, "Task Force Report on National Security Council in a Few Weeks," Rediff on the Net, 11 April 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

11 April 1998
India's Air Chief Marshal S.K. Sareen says India is seriously considering using an advanced satellite for gathering intelligence data to be used by the defense services.
—"India is Working on a Spy Satellite, Says Sareen," Rediff on the Net, 11 April 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

15 April 1998
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declares that "India is not interested in any nuclear weapons race in the subcontinent but we are prepared to meet any eventuality."
—"Atal, George in Chinese Sweet-&-Sour," Economic Times (Mumbai), April 17 1998, <http://www.economictimes.com/>; "Loose Cannon," Asian Age (New Delhi), 17 April 1998, <http://www.asianageonline.com/>.

20 April 1998
The head of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Dr. Shirley Jackson visits India to renew bilateral research projects on improving the operational safety of nuclear power plants. The visit is to finalize an agreement between the United States and India (first since 1980) in three research projects dealing with fire safety in nuclear power plants, emergency procedures, and design modifications based on operating experience. The first meeting of the technical experts from both sides is scheduled for September-October 1998.
—C. Raja Mohan, "India, US to Cooperate on N-Safety," Hindu (Chennai), 20 April 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

20 April 1998
India's Chief of Army Staff General V.P. Malik says that strategic deterrence is necessary to counter the emerging nuclear and missile challenges. Malik stresses the need for "a clear strategic vision" for India "to exploit the emerging strategic opportunities" in the global strategic environment. India's defense minister George Fernandes says the preliminary steps to create a National Security Council have been taken. The formation of the Council will be followed by a strategic defense review. According to Fernandes, the induction of nuclear weapons will be based on the results of the strategic review.
—"Only Deterrence Can Counter Nuclear Threat," Rediff on the Net, 21 April 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>; Manoj Joshi, "Deadly Option," India Today, 4 May 1998, <http://www.india-today.com>; "Army Chief Calls for Steps to Counter N-Threats," Hindu (Chennai), 21 April 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

Late April 1998
Two separate nuclear test teams from the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) and the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) begin to converge at the Pokhran nuclear test site in small groups to avoid attention. On arrival at the site, team members disguise themselves as army personnel.
—Raj Chengappa, "The Eyes of Yama," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (2000: Harper Collins Publishers India, New Delhi), pp. 413-414.

27 April 1998
The convener of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Foreign Affairs Committee, N.N. Jha, states that in the event India decides to develop a nuclear arsenal, it will adopt a doctrine of "no-first-use." Jha says that India's proposed National Security Council might specifically examine the option to "induct" nuclear weapons on the basis of laboratory testing thus "circumventing" US laws, which mandate the imposition of sanctions on countries that conduct nuclear tests.
—"Jha Stresses the Principle of 'Non-First-Use of N-Weapons'," Hindu (Chennai), 27 April 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>; "India Softening World Opinion Before Pulling N-bombs out of Basement, Charges Pakistan," Rediff on the Net, 27 April 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

27 April 1998
The Chinese Army's Chief of General Staff General Fu Quanyou meets Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and defense minister George Fernandes. The leaders stress the need for a nuclear weapons free world and the problems of the transfer of nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, and related technologies to other countries.
—"India, China Agree to Resolve Bilateral Disputes," Times of India (Mumbai), 28 April 1998, <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/>.

28 April 1998
The Director of the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics Dr. Bikash Sinha says that India does not need to worry about nuclear threats from Pakistan since the latter's program is based on "smuggled or borrowed technology" that renders its program unreliable. Emphasizing India's indigenous nuclear and missile programs, Sinha says, "We have to make sure that we have it [nuclear program], if only as a deterrent." Dr. Sinha advocates the need for total autonomy of the scientific institutions in India and accountability of the scientists.
—Wasbir Hussain, "India's Nuclear Capability Superior to Pakistan," Asian Age (New Delhi), 30 April 1998, <http://www.asianageonline.com/>.

1 May 1998
The six nuclear devices assigned for tests are removed from nuclear hardened underground vaults at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) and transported by Indian Air Force AN-32 transport aircraft from Mumbai to Jaisalmer. From Jaisalmer, the devices and their plutonium cores are transported to the Pokhran test site for final assembly.
—Raj Chengappa, "The Eyes of Yama," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (2000: Harper Collins Publishers India, New Delhi).

3 May 1998
According to Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) sources, the government has approved the second phase of Agni ballistic missile program.
—"Government Approves Second Phase of Agni Programme," Times of India (Mumbai), 4 May 1998, <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/>.

3 May 1998
Defense Minister George Fernandes publicly declares China as India's "potential threat number one." The statement is made a week after General Fu Quanyou's visit to India. Frontline magazine reports that the televised interview was recorded prior the visit of the PLA's Chief of Staff but "the broadcast was delayed in response to requests from officials in the Ministry of External Affairs."
—Praveen Swami, "A Hawkish Line on China," Frontline, 23 May-5 June 1998, Vol. 15, No. 11, <http://www.expressindia.com>; "Congress Wants Caution on China; MEA Mum," Indian Express, 5 May 1998, <http://www.expressindia.com>.

5 May 1998
The Indian government reconstitutes the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). Dr. R. Chidambaram is retained as the commission's chairperson. Other new members include: former AEC chairman, Dr. Raja Ramanna, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Brajesh Mishra, Cabinet Secretary, Prabhat Kumar, and member secretary of the Planning Commission, Professor S.R. Jashim.
—"Dr. Chidambaram Retained as AEC Chairman," Rediff on the Net, 5 May 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

5 May 1998
The Indian Army's 58 Engineers undertake measures to hide indications of the impending nuclear test at Pokhran from US reconnaissance satellites. To hide traces of activity at the site, cables connecting the test shafts are buried and camouflaged with vegetation; mounds of earth surrounding the shafts are aligned with natural wind directions; and vehicle movements are carefully controlled to avoid detection.
—Raj Chengappa, "The Eyes of Yama," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (2000: Harper Collins Publishers India, New Delhi), p. 426.

6 May 1998
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) express their commitment to friendly, cooperative, and mutually beneficial relations with China.
—"Fernandes Rules Out Troop Cut Along Chinese Border," Hindu (Chennai), 8 May 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

7 May 1998
Defense Minister George Fernandes speaks on the need to strengthen borders with China. Fernandes says "there will be no cut in the armed forces in those areas."
—"Fernandes Rules out Troop Cut along Chinese Border," Hindu (Chennai), 8 May 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

9 May 1998
Defense Minister George Fernandes is notified of the impending nuclear tests.
—Manoj Joshi, "Nuclear Shock Wave," India Today, 25 May 1998, <http://www.india-today.com>.

10 May 1998
The three chiefs of military services are notified of the impending nuclear tests.
—Manoj Joshi, "Nuclear Shock Wave," India Today, 25 May 1998, <http://www.india-today.com>.

10-11 May 1998
The nuclear devices are lowered into the test shafts, which are sealed in preparation for testing.
—Raj Chengappa, "The Eyes of Yama," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (2000: Harper Collins Publishers India, New Delhi), p. 427.

11 May 1998
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announces that at 3:45 p.m. (10:15 GMT/6:15 EDT) India conducted three nuclear tests at the nuclear test site in Pokhran, in the state of Rajasthan. According to the prime minister, a fission device, a low-yield device, and a thermonuclear device were tested, and the "yields are in line with expected values." The tests did not result in the release of any radioactive material in the atmosphere. An Indian government press statement issued later says the tests have proven India's capability for a weaponized nuclear program and "are expected to carry Indian scientists towards a sound computer simulation capability which may be supported by sub-critical experiments if considered necessary." The Indian Government reiterates its support for an international arrangement that would prohibit underground nuclear tests (including sub-critical tests), and states that "India would be prepared to consider being an adherent to some of the undertakings in the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty [CTBT]." The press statement indicates that CTBT consideration should "necessarily be an evolutionary process from concept to commitment and would depend on a number of reciprocal activities." India expresses its commitment to universal nuclear disarmament, and the willingness to negotiate the fissile material cut-off treaty. The government also reaffirms its adherence to stringent export controls of "sensitive technologies, equipment, and commodities."
—Official Press Release, Ministry of External Affairs, External Publicity Division, New Delhi, 11 May 1998, <http://www.meadev.nic.in>/; "India Explodes Three Nuclear Devices at Pokhran," Hindu (Chennai), 11 May 1998,<http://www.hinduonline.com>.

12 May 1998
Former Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman P.K. Iyengar says that three explosions were needed to test three different kinds of weapons: a sub-kiloton device that could be fired as an artillery shell or dropped from a combat aircraft; a fission device that could be dropped from a bomber plane; and a thermonuclear design. According to Iyengar, the thermonuclear design contained only a small portion of tritium while most of its explosive force came from a fission device. The explosion showed that the "thermonuclear technology worked" and India does not need to "go for a megaton explosion while testing an H-bomb" unless it plans "for a total destruction of the opposite side."
—Willis Witter, "New Delhi Ignores Critics, Says More Tests are Needed," Washington Times, 13 May 1998, <http://www.washtimes.com/>.

12 May 1998
Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Herb Grey announces that Canada is recalling its High Commissioner to New Delhi as a protest against India's nuclear tests.
—"Canada Recalls High Commissioner," Asian Age (New Delhi), 14 May 1998, <http://www.asianageonline.com/>

13 May 1998
India conducts two more sub-kiloton nuclear tests at 12:21 p.m. (local time). The Indian government announces that the planned test series is now complete. A government press release says that the tests were conducted "to generate additional data for improved computer simulation of designs and for attaining the capability to carry out sub-critical experiments, if considered necessary." According to the official statement, no radioactivity was released in the atmosphere. The government reiterates its readiness to undertake some actions under the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) as proposed on 11 May 1998.
—"Planned Series of Nuclear Tests Completed," Official Press Release, Ministry of External Affairs, 13 May 1998, <http://www.meadev.nic.in>.

13 May 1998
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee writes to US President Bill Clinton explaining India's decision to conduct nuclear tests. Vajpayee says that his government's decision was driven by "...deteriorating security environment, especially the nuclear environment, faced by India for some years past." The letter further states, "We have an overt nuclear weapon state on our borders, a state which committed armed aggression against India in 1962. Although our relations with that country have improved in the last decade or so, an atmosphere of distrust persists mainly due to the unresolved border problem. To add to the distrust that country has materially helped another neighbor of ours to become a covert nuclear weapons state." Vajpayee assures Clinton that India's "...[nuclear] tests are limited in number and pose no danger to any country, which has no inimical intentions towards India." Vajpayee also reiterates that India is ready to work with the United States "...in a multilateral or bilateral framework to promote the cause of nuclear disarmament." India is also "ready to participate in negotiations to be held in Geneva in the Conference on Disarmament for the conclusion of the fissile material cut-off treaty."
—Text of the Indian Prime Minister's Letter to the American President, 13 May 1998, Embassy of India, Washington, DC, <http://www.indianembassy.org>.

13 May 1998
In response to India's nuclear tests, the United States imposes economic sanctions on India under Section 102 of the Arms Control Act (Glenn Amendment). The sanctions include "termination of assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (except for humanitarian assistance); termination of sales of defense items; termination of foreign military financing under the Arms Control Act; denial of any credit, credit guarantees, or other financial assistance by any department, agency or instrumentality of the United States government; the United States opposition to the extension of any loan for financial or technical assistance by any international financial institution; prohibiting the United States banks from making any loan or providing any credit to the government of India, except for the purposes of purchasing food or other agricultural commodities; prohibiting export of specific goods and technology subject to export licensing by the Commerce Department."
—"India Sanctions," Statement by the Press Secretary, 13 May 1998, The White House, Office of Press Secretary (Berlin, Germany), <http://www.mac.doc.gov/sanctions/>.

13 May 1998
Japan's Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto says Japan will penalize India for its nuclear tests and suspends grants worth 4 billion yen ($26 million). Japan also declines to host a meeting on international aid for India sponsored by the World Bank that was to be held later during 1998. Sweden also cancels a three-year aid agreement for the $119 million. Elizabeth Wallton, the Swedish government spokesperson, says "Sweden has cancelled its cooperation with India as a result of Indian nuclear tests."
—"Japan Suspends Grants Worth $30m," Rediff on the Net, 13 May 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>; Makiko Tazaki, "Japan Suspends Aid, Will Consider Extra Sanctions," Asian Age (New Delhi), 14 May 1998, <http://www.asianage.com/>; "Sweden Cancels $119m Aid Agreement," Asian Age (New Delhi), 14 May 1998, <http://www.asianageonline.com/>.

13 May 1998
The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) accuses the government of unilaterally reversing India's nuclear policy when the government has "a precarious majority and has not established its stability" and asks for "all parties and people to be taken into confidence before such major departures." CPI leader A.B. Bardhan says "the test of strength is a strong economy, not just weapons" and urges the government to clarify its policy on the nuclear issue. Both the Communist Party of India (CPI) and CPI-M question how the government can move towards signing the discriminatory Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) if there is a national consensus in the country not to do that unless the time-bound framework for nuclear disarmament is included in the treaty. Janata Dal spokesperson Mohan Prakash asks the government to explain the reasons for exercising the nuclear option. Prakash also asks what steps the government has undertaken to deal with the possible international and national repercussions and calls on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to "evolve a new consensus" on the signing of the CTBT.
—"Left Questions Nuclear Policy Change," Asian Age (New Delhi), 14 May 1998, <http://www.asianageonline.com>.

13 May 1998
The Congress Party urges the government to elucidate its reasons for carrying out nuclear explosions. The Congress spokesperson Ajit Jogi says, "It is an achievement which the entire nation is proud of and is an outcome of nearly forty years of sustained work in nuclear research." The Congress congratulates the scientists and engineers involved in the 11 and 13 May tests.
—"Congress Tells Government to Explain Changed Security Perceptions, E.K. Nayar Echoes View," Rediff on the Net, 13 May 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

14 May 1998
Australian Prime Minister John Howard announces the suspension of all defense and military cooperation and non-humanitarian aid to India. The Australian government recalls its defense attaché to New Delhi and orders officials involved in military training exercises in India to return home; Indian defense personnel involved in similar exercises in Australia are also asked to leave the country. All Australian ministerial and senior official visits to New Delhi are cancelled.
—"China Asks India to Sign CTBT," Times of India (Mumbai), 15 May 1998, <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/>.

14 May 1998
Japan imposes another set of economic sanctions on India estimated to cost India of $1 billion, in the aftermath of the second test series on 13 May.
—"Finance Ministry Disputes US Sanction Impact While Japan Slaps Another Dose," Financial Express (Mumbai), 15 May 1998, <http://www.expressindia.com>.

14 May 1998
The President of the UN Security Council issues a statement deploring the nuclear tests carried out by India on 11 and 13 May 1998 "despite overwhelming international concern and protests." The statement urges India "to refrain from any further tests" and expresses its "concern at the effects of this development on peace and stability in the region."
—Statement by the President of the UN Security Council, 14 May 1998, UN Security Council Presidential Statements 1998, S/PRST/1998/12, 14 May 1998, <http://www.un.org>.

15 May 1998
In response to the statement by the president of the UN Security Council on India's nuclear tests issued on 14 May 1998, the Indian government issues a press statement reiterating that India's tests are not directed against any country and "do not jeopardize peace and stability." The statement claims that India was "forced" to carry out the tests due to the "continuing threat posed to India by the deployment, overtly and covertly, of nuclear weapons in the lands and seas adjoining" India.
—Press Release Issued in New Delhi on UN Security Council Resolution on India's Nuclear Tests, 15 May 1998, Embassy of India, Washington, DC, <http://www.indianembassy.org>.

15 May 1998
Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman R. Chidambaram announces that India tested a thermonuclear device on 11 May 1998. According to Chidambaram, "the fission trigger produced about 12 kilotons to activate the thermonuclear core to ultimately yield 45 kilotons." Prime Minister Vajpayee tells India Today, "We now have a capacity for a big bomb." When asked why the tests preceded the formation of the National Security Council, Vajpayee says that National Security Council would be tasked to carry out the first strategic defense review and "conducting of nuclear tests provides necessary information for this important exercise."
—T.S. Gopi Rethinaraj, "Indian Blasts Surprise the World, but Leave Fresh Doubts," Jane's Intelligence Review (Coulsdon, Surrey), July 1998, pp. 19-22.; "Nuclear Shock Wave," India Today, 25 May 1998, <http://www.indiatoday.com/>;"We Have Shown Them That We Mean Business," Interview with the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India Today, 25 May 1998, <http://www.indiatoday.com/>.

15 May 1998
India's former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda opposes the government's decision to conduct nuclear tests. In a letter to Vajpayee, Gowda claims, "the scientists had approached two previous governments [during P.V. Narasimha Rao's and H.D. Deve Gowda's premiership] to continue the tests, once in 1995 and then in 1997." Gowda says he managed to convince the scientists that "the time was not ripe."
—T. Jayaraman, "Of Scientists and Nukes," Frontline, Vol. 15, No. 12, 6-9 June 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

16 May 1998
The former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal N.C. Suri says that while the data from 11-13 May tests suffices for initiating a weapons program, "additional tests would possibly be more prudent" for achieving higher levels of weapon sophistication.
—"N-tests Data Sufficient for Weapons Programme," Hindu (Chennai), 16 May 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

16 May 1998
Former Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman Dr. P.K. Iyengar says the ability to test three very different kinds of nuclear devices, fission and fusion, "unequivocally confers on India the status of a nuclear weapon state" irrespective of whether or not it chooses to maintain the stockpiles of these weapons.
—"N-tests Data Sufficient for Weapons Programme," Hindu (Chennai), 16 May 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

17 May 1998
The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) issue a joint statement on the nuclear test series carried out on 11 and 13 May 1998. According to the statement, the three tests conducted on 11 May 1998 were that of "a fission device with the yield of about 12kt, a thermonuclear device with a yield of about 43kt and a sub-kiloton device. All three devices were detonated simultaneously." The statement says that "the yield of thermonuclear device tested on May 11 was designed to meet the stringent criteria like containment of the explosion and least possible damage to building and structures in neighboring villages." On 13 May two sub-kiloton devices were tested simultaneously. The yields of the devices "were in the range of 0.2 to 0.6kt." The fissile materials used in the five tests "are completely indigenous, and have been produced by local mastery over the relevant technologies by DAE establishments." The tests provided critical data for the validation of India's capability "in the design of nuclear weapons of different yields for different applications and different delivery systems." Furthermore, the tests "significantly enhanced" India's capability "in computer simulations of new designs" and will allow India to conduct "sub-critical experiments in the future, if considered necessary."
—Joint Statement by Department of Atomic Energy and Defense Research and Development Organization, Ministry of External Affairs of India, 17 May 1998, <http://www.meadev.nic.in>.

18 May 1998
The Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Jaswant Singh issues a statement confirming that "with the five tests conducted on 11 and 13 May, India has completed its planned series of underground tests. The decision to undertake this limited series of tests was taken after due consideration of all factors relevant to India's national security. These tests were not intended to threaten any country but address the security concerns of the Indian people and provide them with necessary assurance." According to the statement, India will strengthen its efforts for closer cooperation with the neighbors and intensify the dialogue with the key partners "on all issues that require collective consideration."
—Press Statement by Shri Jaswant Singh Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, 18 May 1998, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, <http://www.meadev.nic.in>.

19 May 1998
Naresh Chandra, India's ambassador to the United States says India wants to reach an agreement with the international community on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). According to Chandra, "India is willing to engage with key interlocutors from the nuclear weapon states and other counties to reach as soon as possible a position where we undertake the substantive undertakings contained in the treaty."
—"India Calls Beijing Envoy Back for Talks," Asian Age (New Delhi), 19 May 1998, <http://www.asianageonline.com/>.

20 May 1998
Dr. B.K. Subba Rao, a former Indian Navy captain who worked on India's nuclear submarine program, challenges the Department of Atomic Energy's (DAE) claims that it successfully tested a thermonuclear device. According to Rao, only one explosion was registered by the seismic station within 437 kilometers from the blast area. Rao points out that seismic stations around the world recorded values between 15 and 25 kilotons. According to Rao, the positioning of the thermonuclear design within one kilometer of the two fission devices (both in one tube 300 meters apart) is "not sufficient to produce a phase difference and reduce the output of energy." Furthermore, the value of 45kt [DAE actually declared 43kt] is meaningless since the thermonuclear design must have a yield measured in megatons. Rao charges that the actual yield of the thermonuclear device tested on May 11 "was not even 30 kilotons." According to Rao, this result could mean the thermonuclear test either failed or that DAE probably tested a boosted-fission device.
—P. Rajendran, "India May Not Have an H-Bomb, Says Scientist," Rediff on the Net, 25 May 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>;"Scientist Questions DAE Claim," Hindu (Chennai), 20 May 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>; B.K. Subba Rao, "The H-Bomb Issue Is Crucial," Frontline, Vol. 15, No. 12, 6-9 June 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

22 May 1998
The former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Dr. Raja Ramanna says India is blessed with an abundance of thorium than can be converted into uranium-233. According to Ramanna, this provides India with a "virtually inexhaustible source of cheap power." Ramanna urges the government to invest heavily in nuclear power stations "to help the country overcome its energy problem."
—"We Have Progressed Far in Terms of Technology," Rediff on the Net, 22 May 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

23 May 1998
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee asserts that India is a nuclear weapon power and that no more tests are planned. According to Vajpayee, "the one and only reason for undertaking the tests was to ensure our security and to let the people of India and the world know that we have a credible deterrent."
—"No More Tests are Planned," Outlook, 25 May 1998, <http://www.outlookindia.com>.

27 May 1998
The European Union decides to work for a delay in consideration of loans to India through the World Bank and other international financial institutions.
—"EU Against Sanctions, but Will Delay Loans for India," Times of India (Mumbai), 27 May 1998, <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/>.

27 May 1998
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee addresses the Indian Parliament on the issue of nuclear test series carried out on 11 and 13 May. He says, "India is now a nuclear weapon state... It is not conferment we seek, nor is it a status for others to grant... It is India's due, the right of one-sixth of the humankind." Vajpayee says that India will neither use nuclear weapons "for aggression or for mounting threats against any country" nor engage in the arms race. According to Vajpayee, India needs nuclear weapons only for self-defense, "to ensure that India is not subjected to nuclear threats or coercion."
—Suo Motu Statement by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Parliament on 27 May 1998, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, <http://www.meadev.nic.in>.

28 May 1998
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announces that Pakistan has conducted five nuclear tests and settled the score with India. Criticizing India's tests earlier in the month, Sharif says that Pakistan had no choice but to follow suit.
—"Pakistan Conducts Five Nuclear Tests," New York Times, 28 May 1998, <http://www.nytimes.com>.

28 May 1998
In the aftermath of Pakistan's nuclear tests, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee says India might reconsider its voluntary moratorium on nuclear tests. Speaking to the press, Vajpayee states that "India is prepared to meet any eventuality. We are committed to deterrence." He says that Pakistan's clandestine preparations "forced" India "on the path of a nuclear deterrent."
—Vijay Simha, "India May Review Moratorium," Indian Express (Mumbai), 28 May 1998, <http://www.expressindia.com>.

29 May 1998
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee offers to sign an agreement with Pakistan on the "no-first-use" of nuclear weapons. The Indian government says it is unfortunate that Pakistan declared its nuclear tests as "India specific." According to India's defense minister George Fernandes, India had anticipated such a move by Pakistan and it was already "factored into" India's planning and defense strategy.
—"Vajpayee Renews No-First-Use Offer to Pakistan," Rediff On The Net, 29 May 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>; "Fernandes Blasts 'India Specific' Pakistani Tests," Rediff On The Net, 29 May 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

29 May 1998
The President of the UN Security Council issues a statement deploring the nuclear tests carried out by Pakistan on 28 May 1998 "despite overwhelming international concern and calls for restraint." The statement "strongly urges India and Pakistan to refrain from any further tests" and "expresses its concern at the effects of this development on peace and stability in the region."
—Statement by the President of the UN Security Council, 29 May 1998, UN Security Council Presidential Statements 1998, S/PRST/1998/17, 14 May 1998, <http://www.un.org>.

30 May 1998
In its response to the statement by the president of the UN Security Council on Pakistan's nuclear tests, the Indian government expresses "astonishment" that the Security Council would urge India not to carry out further nuclear tests thereby ignoring India's repeated declarations of self-restraint. An Indian government statement emphasizes that "India remains firmly committed to a policy of friendly and cooperative relations with its neighbors, the promotion of peace and stability in the region and the resolution of outstanding issues through bilateral dialogue and negotiations." The statement also reiterates India's plea to the nuclear weapon states to join India "in opening early negotiations for a nuclear weapons convention so that these weapons can be dealt with in a global non-discriminatory framework as the other two weapons of mass destruction have been, through the Biological Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention."
—"Statements on UN Security Council reaction to Pakistan's Nuclear Tests," Press Release, 30 May 1998, Embassy of India. Washington, DC, <http://www.indianembassy.org>.

30 May 1998
Dr. S.S. Bhandare, chief economist for Tata Services Ltd., estimates the effect of nuclear-related sanctions and increases in India's defense budget between 85 billion and 100 billion rupees.
—"Budget '98: Sanctions and Defense Can Cost India Up To Rs 100 Billion," Rediff On The Net, 30 May 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

31 May 1998
India calls on the nuclear weapon states to start early negotiations on a nuclear weapons convention to deal with these weapons "in a global non-discriminatory framework."
—"India Appeals for Just Global Framework," Rediff on the Net, 1 June 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

May 1998
According to Jane's Intelligence Review, preparations for Indian nuclear tests went undetected primarily because the Indian Space and Research Organization (ISRO) "had supplied a vast pool of data about the orbits and timings of various spy satellites" that enabled the team of scientists and engineers to avoid detection. The preparations for the 37th test of the Trishul short-range surface-to-surface missile at Chandipur, Orissa, were also used to divert attention from the Pokhran nuclear test site
—T.S. Gopi Rethinaraj, "Indian Blasts Surprise the World, but Leave Fresh Doubts," Jane's Intelligence Review (Coulsdon, Surrey), July 1998, pp. 19-22; Rahul Bedi, "...As Nuclear Test Preparations Avoid Detection," Jane's Defense Weekly (Coulsdon, Surrey), 20 May 1998, p. 5; Krishnan Guruswamy, "Operation Deception: How India Fooled CIA, China," Asian Age (New Delhi), 19 May 1998, <http://www.asianageonline.com/>.

May 1998
Scientists from India's Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and the Institute of Mathematical Sciences protest against India's nuclear tests. The scientists argue that the money required for nuclear weaponization can be better spent to modernize India's educational and research facilities or fund developmental activities.
—T.S. Gopi Rethinaraj, "Indian Blasts Surprise the World, but Leave Fresh Doubts," Jane's Intelligence Review (Coulsdon, Surrey), July 1998, p. 22.

May 1998
According to a public opinion poll conducted in six Indian metropolitan centers, 91 percent of respondents support the nuclear tests, 82 percent favor building nuclear weapons, and 39 percent want India to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
—Rahul Bedi, "India Becomes Sixth Nuclear Weapons State," Jane's Defense Weekly (Coulsdon, Surrey), 20 May 1998, p. 4.

May 1998
Senior Congress party leader Natwar Singh says the tests of May 11 and 13 "did not conform to the latest technology, as claimed." However, Singh does not comment further citing national security reasons.
—"Natwar Singh Blasts Advani, Fernandes," Rediff on the Net, 28 May 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

May 1998
The Department of Atomic Energy's (DAE) Heavy Water Board (HWB) exports 100 metric tons of heavy water to South Korea.
—Government of India, Department of Atomic Energy Annual Report: 1998-1999, p. 55.

June 1998
An Indo-Russian joint working group identifies "radars, electronic warfare, submarines and anti-ballistic missile systems as areas for future collaboration and joint production of hardware by Russian defense institutes and Indian agencies."
—Rezaul H. Laskar, "India, Russia Step up Defense Ties," Asian Age (New Delhi), 22 June 1998, <http://www.asianageonline.com/>.

June 1998
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee states that "India's nuclear doctrine is qualitatively different from that of other states" and, hence, India does not need "to replicate" similar command and control structures. According to Vajpayee India should have a "credible deterrent" to prevent "the use of these [nuclear] weapons." In the event sanctions are imposed, "India would have no option but to take measures to minimize their impact on the Indian economy."
—Kenneth J. Cooper, "Leader Says India Has a 'Credible' Deterrent," Washington Post 17 June 1998, p. 21; in Early Bird 17 June 1998, <http://ebird.dtic.mil>; Ramesh Chandran, "India Will Retaliate if Sanctions are Enforced," Times of India (Mumbai), 18 June 1998, <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/>; C.K. Arora, "Rigid Sanctions Will Prove Costly to US: Vajpayee," Rediff on the Net, 17 June 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

June 1998
Nucleonics Week, citing sources "inside India's nuclear weapons development program," reports that India has developed about 25 plutonium metal cores since its first nuclear test in 1974. Most of the plutonium was produced by the CIRUS (estimated annual plutonium output: 10kg/year) and Dhruva (estimated annual plutonium output: 20-25kg/year) research reactors at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC), Trombay. The report states that the "cores are spherically shaped for the use in implosion nuclear bombs. Most or all the cores are identical or very similar to that exploded by India in 1974." None of the bomb cores has been transferred to the defense ministry and all of them remain with the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). According to Indian defense analyst Manoj Joshi, the first batch of nuclear weapons based on the Pokhran I designs was developed in 1990. For safety purposes, the fissile cores were kept separate from the conventional explosives. Joshi also notes that Pokhran II brought India into "the age of more sophisticated weapons" (boosted-fission and fusion), which require complex assemblies that cannot be stored separately. The new designs also incorporate built-in safety features.
—Mark Hibbs, "India Made 'About 25 Bomb Cores' Since First Test in 1974," Nucleonics Week, 17 June 1998; W.P.S. Sidhu, "India Sees Safety in Nuclear Triad and Second Strike Potential," Jane's Intelligence Review (Coulsdon, Surrey), July 1998, p. 23; Manoj Joshi, "Handle With Care," India Today, 2 November 1998, <http://www.india-today.com>.

June 1998
According to a Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) report, ground-based and airborne surveys carried out before and after the May nuclear tests have shown "no increase in the radiation level" around the Pokhran test site. The yield of thermonuclear design was "chosen" to minimize the damage to the nearby villages (the nearest one within the 5 kilometers from the test site). The report states that "the depths of emplacements were fixed so that the explosions were contained with no radioactive venting." According to the BARC report, 45 national seismological observatories indicated body waves between 5 and 5.4 magnitudes for 11 May with the yield ranging between 40 to 70 kilotons.
—Cited in, "Surveys Show No Radioactivity at Pokhran, Says BARC," Rediff on the Net, 17 June 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

June 1998
A supplement to the 1988 Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) is signed between India and the Russian Federation. The 1998 IGA supplement includes unspecified terms and conditions. The original IGA calls for the Indo-Russian construction of a nuclear power station consisting of two 1,000MW pressurized water reactors (VVER-1000 classification). As of 1998-1999, site investigations had been completed and land for the project was acquired.
—Government of India, Department of Atomic Energy Annual Report: 1998-1999, p. 50.

1 June 1998
The government increases the defense budget by 14 percent. The budgets for the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and Department of Space (DOS) are also increased by 68 percent and 62 percent, respectively.
—John F. Burns, "Military Budget in India is Increased by 14 Percent," New York Times, 2 June 1998; in Early Bird, 2 June 1998, <http://ebird.dtic.mil>

2 June 1998
Brajesh Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, visits France to explain the rationale behind India's nuclear tests.
—"Brajesh Mishra Sent to France for Damage Control," Rediff on the Net, 2 June 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

4 June 1998
India's Defense Minister George Fernandes informs parliament that "the government has approved the next phase of Agni for development of a longer-range system, using state of the art technologies developed indigenously."
—"Trishul Takes to the Seas, Agni to get More Fire," Rediff on the Net, 4 June 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

4 June 1998
The foreign ministers of China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States meet in Geneva "to coordinate their response to the grave situation created by the nuclear tests carried out in May 1998 by India and then by Pakistan." The Joint Communiqué states that India and Pakistan should stop further nuclear testing, "refrain from the weaponization or deployment of nuclear weapons, from the testing or deployment of missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, and from any further production of fissile material for nuclear weapons." The foreign ministers call on both states to "halt provocative statements, refrain from any military movements that could be construed as threatening, and increase transparency in their actions." The Joint Communiqué calls on India and Pakistan to adhere to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) "immediately and unconditionally, thereby facilitating its early entry into force, and to negotiate FMCT [Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty] with the view of reaching early agreement." The foreign ministers state that "notwithstanding the recent nuclear tests, India and Pakistan do not have the status of nuclear weapon states in accordance with the NPT" and reiterate their goal to have all countries adhere to the NPT "as it stands."
—Full text of the Joint Communiqué, P-5 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Geneva, 4 June 1998, The Acronym Institute for Disarmament Diplomacy, London, <http://www.acronym.org.uk>.

5 June 1998
Vasundhara Raje, Minister of State for External Affairs, addresses India's parliament on the extent of China's assistance to Pakistan's nuclear program. Raje claims that China has helped Pakistan in setting up an unsafeguarded research reactor and a plutonium reprocessing facility. In addition, China has also supplied Pakistan with ring magnets, heavy water, and nuclear-related diagnostic equipment.
—Hari Ramachandran, "India Criticizes Big five on China, Rejects Intervention in Kashmir Dispute," Washington Times, 6 June 1998, p. A7.

6 June 1998
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responds to the P-5 members' 4 June 1998 statement condemning India's nuclear tests. The MEA statement refers to the "flawed and discriminatory nonproliferation system that has legitimized the possession of nuclear weapons by a few countries and their presence in our neighborhood". According to the MEA statement, the threat to India's security due to the violation of the obligations under the NPT by its signatories, specifically China, has "compelled" India to carry out nuclear tests. "The clandestine transfer over the years of nuclear weapons technology and fissile material to our neighborhood is well known," the statement says. Nevertheless, India remains committed to "a comprehensive, universal and non-discriminatory global nuclear disarmament regime." India undertakes to observe a voluntary nuclear testing moratorium, to move to a de jure formulation of this declaration and is willing to participate in negotiations of the fissile material cut-off treaty at the Conference on Disarmament. The statement confirms India's readiness to discuss a bilateral no-first-use agreement with Pakistan, as well as with the other countries "bilaterally or in a collective forum."
—"Government of India Response to the P-5 Joint Communiqué," Press Release, 6 June 1998, Embassy of India. Washington, DC, <http://www.indianembassy.org>; Hari Ramachandran, "India Criticizes Big five on China, Rejects Intervention in Kashmir Dispute," Washington Times, 6 June 1998, p. A7.

6 June 1998
The UN Security Council passes resolution 1172 (1998). The resolution condemns the nuclear tests carried out by India and Pakistan and endorses the Joint Communiqué issued by P-5 Foreign Ministers on 4 June 1998. The resolution demands that India and Pakistan refrain from further nuclear testing, urges both countries "to exercise maximum restraint and to avoid threatening military movements, cross-border violations, or other provocations in order to prevent an aggravation of the situation." It calls on India and Pakistan "immediately to stop their nuclear development programmes, to refrain from weaponization or from the deployment of nuclear weapons, to cease development of ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons and any further production of fissile material for nuclear weapons, to confirm their policies not to export equipment, materials or technology that could contribute to weapons of mass destruction or missiles capable of delivering them and to undertake appropriate commitments in this regard." The resolution recalls that in accordance with the NPT "India and Pakistan cannot have the status of a nuclear weapon state."
—Resolution 1172 (1998) Adopted by the Security Council at the 3890th Meeting on 6 June 1998, UN Security Council Resolutions 1998, S/RES/1172(1998), <http://www.un.org.>.

7 June 1998
Principal Secretary to India's prime minister Brajesh Mishra meets British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Foreign Secretary Robin Cook in London and appraises them of the rationale behind India's nuclear tests.
—L.K. Sharma, "Brajesh Mishra Meets Tony Blair," Times of India (Mumbai), 7 June 1998, <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/>.

8 June 1998
Atal Bihari Vajpayee addresses the Indian Parliament on the issue of UN Security Council resolution No. 1172 (6 June 1998) calling for India and Pakistan to abstain from further nuclear tests. Vajpayee rejects the resolution as "unacceptable." He says the decision to pursue nuclear and missile programs is based on the assessment of the national security requirements and is the right of every sovereign country. He reiterates that the Indian Government is "committed to initiatives that open negotiations for a global convention for the elimination of all nuclear weapons."
—Prime Minister's Statement in Rajya Sabha Regarding U.N. Security Council Resolution on 8 June 1998, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, <http://www.meadev.nic.in>; "We Will Be Our Own Nuclear Masters: PM," Asian Age (New Delhi), 8 June 1998, <http://www.asianageonline.com/>; "U.N. Orders India, Pakistan to Sign Arms Control Pacts," Washington Post, 7 June 1998, p. A7.

10 June 1998
Brajesh Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, meets Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov to explain the rationale behind India's tests.
—"Brajesh Mishra Briefs Primakov," Hindu (Chennai), 11 June 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

12 June 1998
Jaswant Singh, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, meets US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott in Washington. During a televised interview, Jaswant Singh says he cannot "understand any circumstances" when India will use nuclear weapons. India carried out the nuclear tests to "acquire control over strategic autonomy," he says.
—"Jaswant Singh Meets Strobe Talbott," Rediff on the Net, 12 June 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>; "Jaswant Singh Rules out India Deploying or Using N-Weapons," Rediff on the Net, 12 June 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

12 June 1998
The G-8 countries meet in London "to consider the serious global challenge posed by the nuclear tests carried out by India and Pakistan." The Joint Communiqué issued after the meeting urges India and Pakistan "to stop all further nuclear tests and adhere to the CTBT [Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty] immediately and unconditionally, thereby facilitating its early entry into force; to refrain from weaponization or deployment of nuclear weapons and from the deployment and testing of missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, and enter into firm commitments not to weaponize or deploy nuclear weapons or missiles; to refrain from any further production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices and participate, in a positive spirit and on the basis of the agreed mandate, in negotiations with other states in the Conference on Disarmament for a Fissile Material Cut-off Convention with a view to reaching early agreement; to confirm their policies not to export equipment, materials and technology that could contribute to weapons of mass destruction or missiles capable of delivering them, and undertake appropriate commitments in this regard." The Communiqué also urges both countries to "implement fully the confidence- and security-building measures" and resume the dialogue to reduce the tensions.
—G8 Foreign Ministers Communiqué on Indian and Pakistani Nuclear Tests, 12 June 1998, Lancaster House, London, University of Toronto Information Center, <http://www.g7.utoronto.ca/>.

13 June 1998
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee calls for "progressive denuclearization" of the world in a global, comprehensive, and non-discriminatory fashion.
—"Vajpayee Calls for 'Progressive Denuclearization'," Rediff on the Net, 13 June 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

14 June 1998
The Government of India issues an official response to the Joint Communiqué of G-8 foreign ministers dated 12 June 1998. The government expresses its regret that the Communiqué did not take into consideration India's proposals (reiterated in the official statement issued on 6 June 1998). The statement emphasizes that "India's security concerns cannot be viewed in a narrow South Asian construct. Indeed, the pursuit of nonproliferation in an arbitrary selective regional context remains the fundamental flaw of the global nuclear disarmament regime. The Government of India cannot consider any prescriptions which have the effect of undermining India's independent decisionmaking. Like any sovereign nation, India will continue to take decisions in this regard on the basis of its own assessment and national security requirements."
—"Statement on G-8 Foreign Ministers Joint Communiqué," 14 June 1998, Embassy of India, Washington, DC, <http://www.indianembassy.org>.

16 June 1998
Russian Atomic Energy Minister Yevgeny Adamov visits India. According to Interfax, Russia will provide the reactors for the Koodankulam nuclear power plant in Karnataka.
—"Russia Will Continue to Sell Conventional Weapons, N-Reactors to India," Rediff on the Net, 16 June 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>; Kevin Sullivan, "Indian Nuclear Sub Plan Reported," Washington Post, 27 June 1998, p. 20; in Early Bird, 29 June 1998, <http://ebird.dtic.mil>.

17 June 1998
Defense Minister George Fernandes says India went nuclear for the purpose of possessing a nuclear deterrent to "tackle some of the threats...from the north." According to Fernandes, India was going to mate its nuclear warheads with the missiles right after the tests but now India emphasizes its readiness to negotiate nuclear issues with Pakistan and the P-5 countries.
—John F. Burns, "India's Defense Minister Calls US Defense Policies 'Hypocritical'," New York Times, 18 June 1998, in Early Bird 18 June 1998, <http://ebird.dtic.mil>.

24 June 1998
Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) chairman Dr. R. Chidambaram inaugurates a workshop on "energy for growth and sustainability" at the Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research (IGCAR) in Kalpakkam. He states that India is not dependent on others for nuclear technology and has a "comprehensive capability" in the entire nuclear fuel cycle. He cites the example of Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) where "the entire coolant channels of the reactor were replaced at the fraction of the cost Canada would have charged." Chidambaram says that the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) would "go out of its way to provide technical support to the research center." The budgetary allocations for nuclear power in 1998 amount to 9.3 billion rupees.
—"India Not Dependent on Others for N-Technology," Hindu (Chennai), 25 June 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

June 1998
Washington Post reports that India is "within months of beginning construction of [a] nuclear-powered submarine capable of carrying nuclear warheads" with help from Russia.
—Kevin Sullivan, "Indian Nuclear Sub Plan Reported," Washington Post, 27 June 1998, p. 20; in Early Bird, 29 June 1998, <http://ebird.dtic.mil>.

20 July 1998
Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India Jaswant Singh and US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott continue the series of discussions in New Delhi on the issues of disarmament, security, and nonproliferation. Strobe Talbott is accompanied by the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Ralston, US Ambassador to India Richard Celeste, Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Karl Inderfurth, National Security Council representative Bruce Reidel, Robert Einhorn, and Matthew Daley. An Indian embassy press release in Washington, DC states the two sides "exchanged their strategic perspectives on regional and international developments." According to the press release, "the discussions were marked by a spirit of working together to find a common ground and narrow the gaps" in the perceptions of India and the United States. The next meeting is scheduled for late August 1998.
—Press Release, 20 July 1998, Embassy of India, Washington, DC, <http://www.indianembassy.org>.

24 August 1998
India's Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Jaswant Singh, and the US Deputy Secretary of State, Strobe Talbott, engage in the fourth round of talks that began in June 1998. The talks take place in Washington, DC. Singh has meetings at the US Departments of Defense and Energy and meets with the Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson, Deputy Secretary of Defense John Hamre and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Ralston. The Indian embassy press release states the talks were "serious and constructive, with the view of putting the relations between India and the United States on a sound and secure footing for the future. The two sides discussed the issues of disarmament and nonproliferation, as well as regional developments and the international situation." Mr. Singh and Mr. Talbot agree to meet again in the coming weeks; however, the date for the next meeting is not specified.
—"India-US Bilateral Relations," Press Release, 24 August 1998, Embassy of India, Washington, DC, <http://www.indianembassy.org>; Sridhar Krishnaswamy, "Jaswant-Talbott Talks 'Serious, Constructive'," Hindu (Chennai), 26 August 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>; Tara Shankar Sahay, "Jaswant-Talbott Agree to Meet Yet Again," Rediff on the Net, 25 August 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

24 August 1998
In an interview to the Thailand daily The Nation, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee says that India is a responsible nuclear weapon state and would be willing to provide formal security assurances to uphold the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapon Free Zone under the Bangkok Treaty of 1995.
—"India is a Responsible Nuclear State: Vajpayee," Times of India (Mumbai), 24 August 1994, <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/>.

25 August 1998
Senior Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officials say that both India and the United States, despite their persisting differences, are trying to reach a mutually acceptable compromise on the issues of nonproliferation and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). The Indian officials emphasize that United States should recognize India's security needs. They also claim that according to the unofficial reports from Washington, Strobe Talbott acknowledged nuclear collaboration between China and Pakistan, as well as the US failure to persuade China to stop its clandestine nuclear proliferation activities. According to MEA officials, Jaswant Singh is supposed to have argued that China, not Pakistan, is a major security threat for India.
—Tara Shankar Sahay, "Jaswant-Talbott Agree to Meet Yet Again," Rediff on the Net, 25 August 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

30 August 1998
US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Karl Inderfurth says the talks between India and the United States are designed to put Indo-US ties "on the most sound and secure footing possible for the future" and US sanctions against India will be lifted "as soon as possible." Inderfurth says the United States is working with both India and Pakistan "to identify as clearly as possible" a common ground and "find some ways to manage differences...It is quite clear that similarities between the United States and India are much more important than our differences."
—Chidanand Rajghatta, "American Sanctions Will Go Soon, Says Inderfurth," 31 August 1998, Indian Express (Mumbai), <http://www.expressindia.com>.

1-3 September 1998
During press conference in Durban, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India Brajesh Mishra says the Minister of State for External Affairs Vasundhara Raje and Pakistani Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz have reached a "broad understanding" to resume official-level talks that broke down in 1997 due to Pakistani insistence on resolving the outstanding Kashmir issue in the first place. He says the text of the agreement was worked out and will be released during the meeting of the prime ministers of both countries in New York on 23 September 1998.
—"Progress in Nuclear Talks with India: Sartaj Aziz," Times of India (Mumbai), 1 September 1998, <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/>; "India, Pakistan Finally Break the Ice," 3 September 1998, Rediff on the Net, <http://www.rediff.com>.

2 September 1998
At a press conference in Moscow, US President Bill Clinton and Russian President Boris Yeltsin express their commitment to follow the steps listed in the joint Communiqué endorsed by G-8 and the UN Security Council to persuade India and Pakistan to "reverse their arms race." India's defense minister George Fernandes says defense cooperation with Russia will "not be affected by such statements." He also says that the assumption "that the bomb is safe in the hands of a nuclear state but dangerous for people of South Asia is exaggerated and not acceptable."
—"US, Russia to Pressure India, Pakistan," Hindu (Chennai), 3 September 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>; "Indo-Russian Ties Will Continue: Fernandes," Hindu (Chennai), 3 September 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

6 September 1998
Commenting on the issue of nuclear safety in India, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman Dr. R. Chidambaram says that India has a "very good independent atomic energy regulatory board," well-trained operators and "decades of experience in designing, building and operating many nuclear research reactors and related facilities." Speaking of the thermonuclear device tested on 11 May, Chidambaram says it was a "staged thermonuclear explosive and its yield of 45 tons was very close to the calculated (expected value)." He also says that the approaching deadline for signing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) in 1999 was a factor in carrying out nuclear tests.
—"India's N-Safety Record Good: Chidambaram," Hindu (Chennai), 6 September 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

15 September 1998
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee dedicates the Kalpakkam Reprocessing Plant (KARP), India's largest nuclear spent fuel reprocessing facility. KARP is designed to reprocess spent fuel from the Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) and has a reprocessing capacity of 100 tons per annum. KARP will also meet the plutonium needs of the prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR).
—Government of India, Department of Atomic Energy Annual Report: 1998-1999, p. 14.

16-18 October 1998
Indian and Pakistani foreign secretaries K. Raghunath and S. Ahmed begin bilateral talks. Pakistan proposes that both countries adopt measures to formalize the informal moratorium on nuclear tests, prevent a nuclear and missile race in the region, institutionalize measures to avoid a potential nuclear conflict, ensure a minimal deterrent capability, agree not to induct air- and sea-launched ballistic missiles, employ peaceful means for the settlement of disputes, create measures to prevent violations of airspace and territorial waters, and revive the pre-Simla ground border rules and prior notification of military exercises. India's responds with proposals of its own including exchange of views on security concepts and nuclear doctrines, increased exchange of information in the nuclear field and setting up a consultative mechanism to review and implement confidence-building measures. Chennai-based Hindu reports that both India and Pakistan had similar proposals to upgrade the existing hotline between the Director Generals of Military Operations and extend it to sector commanders, to review the existing confidence-building measures, as well as measures to cease hostile propaganda.
—Amit Baruah, "US Ideas for N-Restraint Discussed," Hindu (Chennai), 23 October 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

26 October 1998
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee says India will not compromise its security interests in negotiations with Pakistan. He says the country is committed to find a "rightful place in [the] global arena" and the tests of 11 and 13 May were of a "far reaching strategic significance." They brought India "into the center of [the] international security debate." Vajpayee says indigenization is necessary to overcome the problem of technology denials.
—"No Compromise on Security Interests, Says Vajpayee," Hindu (Chennai), 27 October 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

26 October 1998
At the annual Sardar Patel memorial lecture titled "Second Vision for the Nation- Developed India," Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam says India does not need to carry out any more nuclear tests to prove its "worth" because the technological capability of a country determines the number of tests required to become a nuclear power. By carrying out multiple tests simultaneously India has proven its technological capability. He says it is "ridiculous" to think India does not have proper command and control system. Kalam says India was able to overcome emerging challenges: "We fought against sanctions and technology denials and proved to the world that we can develop high technology in this country." According to Kalam, by the year 2020 India will emerge as "a developed country" and will possess indigenously developed high technology, "the main engine for economic build-up and national development."
—"We Proved Our Worth with N-Tests: Kalam," Times of India (Mumbai), 29 October 1998, <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/>.

27 October 1998
India's nuclear submarine, or Advanced Technology Project (ATV), falls further behind schedule. Reports suggest that most of the money on the project has been spent on "obtaining design drawings from abroad, civilian construction work, establishing test beds, procuring related equipment, and overseas visits of key personnel." India has established a training facility to familiarize the personnel with the nuclear submarine's power plant. According to experts, the success of the ATV will lie in "the precision integration of an Indian-designed reactor to a matching hull." According to the former Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) chairman Dr. Srinivasan, The Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) and the navy joined forces to build the submarine's power plant. Srinivasan says the team abandoned the idea to use plutonium as a fuel and intends to use "specially fabricated enriched uranium." The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) coordinates the ATV project while obtaining inputs from DAE and the navy. The navy had sought a "technical audit" to assess whether the progress achieved thus far justifies the expenditure.
—Atul Aneja, "N-submarine Project Yet to Take Off," Hindu (Chennai), 28 October 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

28 October 1998
Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Brajesh Mishra says India wants to resolve all outstanding problems with China "in the spirit of friendship and cooperation." Mishra says India is not interested in the arms race with China or Pakistan and its nuclear weapons program is "purely defensive."
—"China isn't Enemy, Says India," Rediff on the Net, 28 October 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

29 October 1998
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee says India should be treated "at par" with other nuclear weapon states. Vajpayee says India will continue to work for the elimination of all nuclear weapons.
—"Treat India Like Other N-States: PM," Hindu (Chennai), 29 October 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

30 October 1998
In an address to nuclear scientists and engineers at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC), Dr. Chidambaram says technology control regimes are meaningless. "We cannot, anymore, be considered of proliferation concern," he says "because five Pokhran '98 tests have shown that our knowledge of nuclear weapon designs is highly advanced." According to Chidambaram, the Indian "sophisticated and modern nuclear devices" are to be equated to several tests conducted by other nuclear weapon states since "these tests are of '98 vintage, their robust designs" are based on "today's knowledge of physics, material science, engineering and electronics," while "the old nuclear weapon states who begun testing in 50s had the design prepared on the basis of the then knowledge of science and engineering. They had to repeat tests as the knowledge grew but the basic design remained the same." Chidambaram also points out that the failure to detect India's sub-kiloton explosions was due to "software and analytical inadequacies" of the foreign seismologists in the face of "separated, simultaneous explosions." This failure exposed the weaknesses of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) monitoring system. According to Chidambaram, the seismic method was not the best way to assess India's nuclear tests since the seismic results could be manipulated and no global model that covers the entire earth exists. This is why the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) released accelerometer results after the tests.
-—"Nuclear Power, India's Important Need," Hindu (Chennai), 31 October 1998, <http://www.hnduonline.com>.

October-November 1998
Mr. Dalip Lahiri, additional secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), introduces India's resolution on "Reducing Nuclear Danger" to the first committee of the 53rd session of the United Nations General Assembly. The resolution calls for the de-alerting of nuclear forces and the revision of nuclear doctrines to adopt no-first-use policies as means toward reducing the risks of unintentional and accidental use of nuclear weapons. The resolution emphasizes that reduction of tensions due to the change in nuclear doctrines will have a positive impact on international peace and security. It also reiterates India's priority toward global nuclear disarmament.
—"India Moves Resolution on De-alerting N-Forces," Rediff on the Net, 3 November 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

October-November 1998
Israel succumbs to US pressure and orders Israeli aerospace and defense firms to suspend pending defense deals to India. On 30 October 1998, an Israeli defense ministry official makes a statement saying that this is "a temporary, voluntary freeze that may or may not be adhered to depending on the circumstances." The official emphasizes the effort to coordinate actions with the "friends" in Washington but indicates that "sometimes national interests must prevail." Israel maintains that indigenous Israeli technology should not be subject to third country's export control regimes. However, the United States keeps the issue high on the agenda and plans to reintroduce it during meetings with Israeli officials at the US Department of State on 9 November 1998. India's ambassador to Washington Naresh Chandra says that India and Israel enjoy robust defense-industrial ties.
—Barbara Opall-Rome, "Israel, US Lock Horns Over Transfers to India," Defense News (Springfield, VA), Vol.13, No. 44, 2-8 November 1998, pp. 3, 19; "Israel Defers Arms Sales to India," Times of India (Mumbai), 5 November 1998, <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/>.

6 November 1998
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee says that US insistence on Indian "fissile material" deployment information is blocking the Strobe Talbott-Jaswant Singh talks on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Vajpayee says the deployment will be determined by India's security compulsions. Vajpayee also divulges that Indo-US negotiations on the fissile material issue "are stuck because of different perceptions of the issue." Vajpayee notes that the attempt to isolate India after nuclear tests did not work because "international environment is now such that an increasing number of countries want to have bilateral relations with us."
—Janak Singh, "US Obduracy on N-Sites Holding Up Talks: PM," Times of India (Mumbai), 8 November 1998, <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/>.

7 November 1998
The White House announces that United States will partially waive some sanctions against India and Pakistan imposed in the wake their nuclear tests in May 1998. The sanctions are waived in response to the efforts both countries made in the field of nonproliferation (moratorium on further testing, public commitment at the United Nations General Assembly to adhere to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty by September 1999, promise to strengthen export controls, participation in the Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty negotiations in Geneva, and resumption of the Indo-Pakistani dialogue). The waiver will apply to activities of the Export-Import Bank, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Trade and Development Agency operations in India and Pakistan, the removal of restrictions on the activities of US banks in India and Pakistan, and resumption of military-to-military relationships by way of restoring military education and training programs. The waiver will be valid until 21 September 1999.
—"Easing Sanctions on India and Pakistan," Statement by the Press Secretary, Office of Press Secretary, the White House, 7 November 1998; in Market Access and Compliance, <http://www.mac.doc.gov/>.

7 November 1998
The Government of India acknowledges the Clinton administration's partial sanctions waiver and says the US decision in an indication of the advance in the Indo-US dialogue on disarmament and nonproliferation.
—K.K. Katyal, "Delhi Takes Note of Washington Move," Hindu (Chennai), 8 November 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

8 November 1998
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee says the US decision to lift some of the economic sanctions imposed on India in the aftermath of May 1998 tests vindicates India's stand on the nuclear issue and its self-defense requirement. Vajpayee says it is very difficult to isolate a country with the population of one billion people.
—"Vajpayee Finds US Action Discriminatory," Hindu (Chennai), 9 November 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

9 November 1998
India and the United States begin talks on nuclear and missile-related export control issues. Alok Prasad, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State John Barker lead their respective delegations. Another round of Jaswant Singh-Strobe Talbott talks is scheduled for 19 November 1998 in Rome.
—"Indo-US N-Talks Reach Decisive Phase," Rediff on the Net, 9 November 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

13 November 1998
India and Russia finalize a 10-year defense cooperation plan after a three-day meeting of the Indo-Russian Joint Working Group in Moscow. Under the plan, Russia agrees to help India build its first nuclear submarine and set-up an anti-missile system around India's major cities. According to press reports, Russia will assist India in integrating the nuclear power plant into the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) and in developing a submarine-launched ballistic missile. A new long-term defense cooperation agreement is expected to be signed in December 1998 during Russian President Boris Yeltsin's proposed visit to New Delhi.
—Vladimir Radyuhin, "India, Russia to Extend Defense Cooperation," Hindu (Chennai), 14 November 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>; "Major Indo-Russian Defense Deal to be Signed Next Month," Rediff on the Net, 17 November 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

13 November 1998
The US Department of Commerce publishes the list of Indian and Pakistani institutions linked to nuclear- and missile-related programs. These entities are to be denied the right to import goods with nuclear or military applications from the United States as stipulated in the Glenn Amendment.
—"US Puts Out Black List of Indian Firms," Rediff on the Net, 14 November 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

16 November 1998
During the "Nehru Memorial Lecture" at the Punjab University, former Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman Dr. Raja Ramanna says India does not need more nuclear tests as the May 1998 explosions were based on "the best" technology. Ramana claims that Indian scientists "have achieved what is needed for the peaceful use of atomic energy." According to Ramanna, the imposition if US sanctions on India was an "overreaction" and will not hurt India.
—"More N-Tests Unnecessary, Says Raja Ramanna," Rediff on the Net, 18 November 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

17 November 1998
Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman R. Chidambaram says that US sanctions will not affect India's nuclear programs since India is self-reliant in the nuclear field. Chidambaram notes that India has a "comprehensive capability" in the nuclear fuel cycle that includes plant construction, power generation, reprocessing and waste management. According to Chidambaram, nuclear establishments in India are safe in all respects. Chidambaram also says the second unit of Kaiga nuclear power plant will become operational by December 1999.
—"India Self-Reliant in the Nuclear Field," Hindu (Chennai), 18 November 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

17 November 1998
Speaking at the bi-annual meeting of International Association of Technology Assessment and forecasting Institutions in New Delhi, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam says India is strong and can "combat the sanctions." He also says that it is a duty of the "scientific and technology community" to ensure that "technology does not becomes pawn in the hands of geo-politics."
—"Technology Must Not Become a Pawn in the Geo-Politics Game: Kalam," Rediff on the Net, 17 November 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

18 November 1998
The former chairman of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), Dr. A. Gopalakrishnan refutes the claims of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) that enough data have been collected for computer simulation and sub-critical tests and that India can proceed to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Gopalakrishnan says India is yet to validate its weapon designs and computer codes. Gopalakrishnan refers to the seismological estimates of the yield of the May 11 tests with the mean value of 12.5kt and standard deviation of 3kt that contradicts the cumulative yield announced by DRDO and DAE on 17 May (about 56kt). He discards as baseless the premise that the discrepancy arises due to inaccurate deduction of the yields from the multiple explosions. According to Dr. Gopalakrishnan, "if scientific data collection was the main objective" of May 1998 tests, a number of single-explosion tests should have been carried out since multiple simultaneous tests serve the purpose of studying the "synergetic effects on targets" and exploring "specific applications of multiple explosions" and not the verification of weapon designs.
—A. Gopalakrishnan, "How Credible is Our Deterrence," Hindu (Chennai), 18 November 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

19 November 1998
The Indian government announces the institution of a National Security Council (NSC). The NSC will be chaired by the prime minister. It will consist of six members including the home minister, the defense minister, the external affairs minister, and the deputy chairman of the planning commission. According to the official announcement, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Brajesh Mishra will be "national security adviser and the channel for servicing the council." The NSC will be tasked to carry out the India's strategic defense review (SDR) and formulate a command and control system for India's nuclear deterrent. The NSC will consist of three levels. A revamped joint intelligence committee (JIC) will act as its secretariat; a strategic policy group will provide inter-ministerial coordination and will consist of the cabinet secretary and union secretaries from the departments of external affairs, home, defense, finance, revenue and defense production, as well as the three chiefs of the armed services, the governor of Reserve Bank of India and the director of Intelligence Bureau. The national security advisory board (NSAB) will constitute the third layer and will comprise eminent persons from outside the government in the fields of external security, strategic analysis, internal security, science, and technology.
—"Six-Member National Security Council Formed," Times of India (Mumbai), 20 November 1998, <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/>.

19-20 November 1998
Jaswant Singh and Strobe Talbott meet for the seventh round of the Indo-US nuclear dialogue in Rome. The joint statement issued at the end of the meeting says that the two sides discussed disarmament, nonproliferation, and other bilateral issues, "as well as regional and international developments." The two sides discuss the report on the Indo-US meeting on export controls that took place in New Delhi on 9-10 November. During the talks, India expressed concerns about Indian entities on the US sanctions list and US attempts to deny India access to finances from international financial institutions. According to the Indo-US joint statement, both delegations found the talks "constructive and judge that they will contribute to an atmosphere that will facilitate further progress in establishing positive environment both sides seek." Reportedly, Strobe Talbott emphasized the urgency for India to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) while India reiterated its regional security concerns. The next round of talks is scheduled for January 1999 in New Delhi.
—Tara Shankar Sahay, "Jaswant-Talbott Talks End in Another Stalemate," Rediff on the Net, 20 November 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>; K.K. Katyal, "Jaswant, Talbott Talks 'Constructive'," Hindu (Chennai), 21 November 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

23 November 1998
China says discussions for the next meeting of Joint Working Group with India are under way. China wants India to take concrete steps to improve bilateral relations. According to a Chinese embassy spokesperson in New Delhi, China hopes that besides solving the outstanding boundary problem, the two countries will "make efforts to develop bilateral relations in various fields, enhance mutual understanding and trust so as to create a favorable atmosphere." China plans to urge India to accept the Joint Communiqué, issued by the permanent members of Security Council and endorsed by G-8 members on 12 June 1998, to abandon its nuclear weapons program and sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) "unconditionally and immediately." According to the spokesperson, China's attitude towards India has not changed after the tests and is based on the five principles of peaceful coexistence.
—K.K. Katyal, "China Claims 'Active Approach'," Hindu (Chennai), 24 November 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

24 November 1998
The Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and the National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra says a National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) will be appointed to assist the National Security Council (NSC) in security policy formulation. The NSAB will consist of 24-30 persons from various fields outside the government. The Government of India also intends to restructure the Strategic Policy Group (SPG) created in 1996. The reconstituted SPG will include the three chiefs of the armed services, the Reserve Bank of India governor, secretaries of the departments of revenue, space and atomic energy, as well as the Scientific Advisor to the Defense Minister. The SPG will interact with the NSAB, Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) and make recommendations to the NSC.
—Muralidhar Reddy, "NSC Advisory Board to Be Set Up," Hindu (Chennai), 25 November 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

26 November 1998
Indian government sources indicate that India intends to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) by September 1999 after taking parliament into confidence. The sources also suggest that the issue of "nuclear restraint" has been the major stumbling block in Indo-US negotiations with the United States, insisting that India cap its nuclear and missile capabilities. As far as fissile material cut off is concerned, India rejects an immediate moratorium on fissile material production. However, India will consider the issue of fissile material cut-off "in the course of multilateral negotiations" in Geneva when India will get "some idea on the exact position of the US on the FMCT [Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty] issue."
—Anita Katyal, "No Freeze on N-Capability, US told," Times of India ((Mumbai), 26 November 1998, <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/>; Muralidhar Reddy, "India May Sign CTBT Next Year," Hindu (Chennai), 26 November 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>; Sridhar Krishnaswami, "US, India Reach Common Ground," Hindu (Chennai), 27 November 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

26 November 1998
Nucleonics Week reports that senior US intelligence analysts at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories have concluded that India's test of a thermonuclear design was a failure and India will need to test again if it wants to have a thermonuclear capability. It also cites one analyst as saying that "it would now be logical" for India to renew its 1997 request that the United States provide test simulation data to enable India to accept the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
—Mark Hibbs, "India May Test Again Because H-Bomb Failed, US Believes," Nucleonics Week, 26 November 1998.

27 November 1998
Pakistan rejects the possibility of mutual inspections of nuclear facilities with India. Pakistan's foreign secretary Shamshad Ahmed says that Pakistan will seek US help to persuade India to accept a "strategic restraint regime" in South Asia.
—Amit Baruah, "Pakistan Keen on Third Party Verification," Hindu (Chennai), 30 November 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

December 1998
The closure of old ammonia plants in Baroda by the Gujarat State Fertilizer Corporation (GSFC) forces the Baroda Heavy Water Plant to halt heavy water production.
—Government of India, Department of Atomic Energy Annual Report: 1999-2000, p. 1.4.

1 December 1998
US President Bill Clinton signs a Presidential Determination No. 99-7 addressed to the Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. With this document, he waives "the sanctions and prohibitions contained in section 101 and 102 of the Arms Control Act, section 620E(e) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, and section 2 (b)(4) of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945, insofar as such sanctions and prohibitions would otherwise apply to activities of the Export-Import Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the Trade and Development Agency with respect to Pakistan and India; assistance to Pakistan and India under "International Military Education and Training" program; making of any loan or providing of any credit to the Government of India or the Government of Pakistan by any US bank; and the extension of any loan or financial assistance to Pakistan by any international financial institution in support of the assistance program that Pakistan is negotiating with the International Monetary Fund."
—Presidential Determination No. 99-7, Memorandum to the Secretary of State, 1 December 1998, in Market Access and Compliance, <http://www.mac.doc.gov/>.

8 December 1998
Defense Minister George Fernandes says India and "a country [United States] which has taken a hostile and negative position after India declared that it was a nuclear power" have not moved any closer to an understanding on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Fernandes expresses hope that "a new round of talks" [scheduled for January 1999] "will yield the results."
—"No Headway in Indo-US Talks on CTBT: Fernandes," Times of India (Mumbai), 9 December 1998, <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/>.

10 December 1998
External affairs Minister Jaswant Singh says that the Indo-US dialogue has resulted in "some progress." According to Singh, there is now some understanding of India's security concerns and requirements. The dialogue will focus on the four major issues: the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT), export controls, and defense posture.
—"'Some Progress' in Indo-US Talks: Jaswant," Rediff on the Net, 10 December 1998, <http://www.rediff.com>.

16 December 1998
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee addresses the Indian parliament. He reiterates that "India's commitment to disarmament remains undiluted." Vajpayee states that "the [nuclear] option that was exercised in May 1998 was a continuation of a decision taken near 25 years earlier, during which period India had demonstrated an exemplary nuclear restraint, given the exceptional security related complexities of our region." He says "successive Indian governments continued to safeguard this option, demonstrate our capability, and take such steps as were necessary to ensure the viability of the option through weaponization." Vajpayee says that during the Indo-US talks, India has "firmly put across [its] security concerns and the imperative of maintaining a minimum, credible, nuclear deterrent." He notes that after six rounds of talks, Indo-US discussions narrowed down to four issues: the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), the Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT), export controls, and defense posture. With regard to the CTBT, Vajpayee notes that "for the successful conclusion of the talks, creation of a positive environment by our interlocutors is a necessary ingredient." He reassures the parliament that India's move towards signing the CTBT will not "come in the way of our taking such steps as may be found necessary in future to safeguard our national security. It does not constrain us from continuing with our R&D programs, nor does it jeopardize in any manner the safety and effectiveness of our nuclear deterrent in the years to come." Vajpayee says that India is willing to "work for the early conclusion" of the non-discriminatory FMCT "that will end the future production of fissile material for weapons purposes." He says, however, that at this stage India is not ready to announce a moratorium on fissile material production.

Vajpayee indicates that Indo-US talks are based on the premise that "India will define its own requirements, for its nuclear deterrent, on its own assessment of the security environment." Regarding India's defense posture Vajpayee says "Ours will be a minimum credible deterrent, which will safeguard India's security, the security of one-sixth of humanity, now and into the future." He says the National Security Council "will make important contributions to elaborating these concepts." Vajpayee states that his government "remains unequivocally opposed to any suggestions that seek to place India at technological disadvantage through intrusive or sovereignty violative measures." He also says that India will continue to "take initiatives in the international forums towards fulfilling the objective of complete elimination of all nuclear weapons."
—PM's Statement in Parliament on, "Bilateral Talks with United States," 15 December 1998, Ministry of External Affairs, the Government of India, <http://www.meadev.nic.in>.

20-22 December 1998
Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov visits India. A press statement issued at the conclusion of the visit states that the two sides expressed "satisfaction over their continuing cooperation in the peaceful uses of atomic energy" and "over progress in a broad, mutually beneficial military-technical cooperation during recent years, which has good prospects."
—"Text of Indo-Russian Statement," Hindu (Chennai), 23 December 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

23 December 1998
India's Minister of State for External Affairs, Ms. Vasundhara Raje tells parliament that Indian scientists have clearly established the total yields of the devices tested on 11 May 1998 and the yields are in conformity with the announced values. She says that four different methods of analysis were used to estimate the yield from the nuclear tests. The methods, which included global seismic data evaluation and close-in acceleration measurement, have confirmed that a fission device of 15kt and a thermonuclear device of 45kt were tested on 11 May [DAE and DRDO official statement of 17 May indicated 12kt and 43kt]. Ms. Raje says that drilling operations at the site of the thermonuclear test are under way and similar operations will be undertaken at the site of the fission blast. The analysis obtained from samples from these operations thus far "conforms to the predicted behavior of the tested devices."
—"India Did Detonate Thermonuclear Device," Hindu (Chennai), 24 December 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

25 December 1998
External affairs minister Jaswant Singh says that India is ready for a practical engagement of the great powers based on a "problem-solving" approach.
—Raja Mohan, "Foreign Policy: a New Pragmatism," Hindu (Chennai), 23 December 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

29 December 1998
Russian Ambassador to India Albert S. Chernyshev says India could "get accommodated" in the international technology control regimes after a "certain process" had unraveled.
—"Russia for Gradual Lifting of Global Hi-Tech Curbs," Hindu (Chennai), 30 December 1998, <http://www.hinduonline.com>.

1998
The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) reports that India's 10 operating nuclear power plants have a total generating capacity of 1,840MW. "During the period from 1 April 1998 to 31 January 1999, the gross generation was 9,900 million units with a capacity factor of 73 percent," reports the Department of Atomic Energy's (DAE) Annual report. The Tarapur-1 nuclear power station operated at 95 percent of full capacity in the months of May and August to November 1998. The 150MW Unit 1 of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) operated at maximum capacity except for two shutdowns to modify the turbine blades and general maintenance. The coolant channel replacement and system upgrade work on RAPS-2 was completed ahead of schedule and the unit was synchronized to the grid on 6 June 1998. NPCIL also reports that the Kaiga-2 unit is expected to reach criticality by June 1999 and Kaiga-1 by June 2000. Both the Kaiga units should generate 2,420 million units annually at a generating capacity of 62.8 percent. Units 3 and 4 of RAPS are scheduled to reach criticality by July 1999 and July 2000. Excavation for the two 500MW pressurized heavy water reactors at Tarapur started in October 1998; both units are expected to become critical in October 2005 and July 2006, respectively.
—Government of India, Department of Atomic Energy Annual Report: 1998-1999, p. 2.

1998
The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) reports that the performance and safety record at India's eight heavy water plants is satisfactory; the Tuticorin and Baroda heavy water facilities completed more than 7.3 million and 8.43 million man-hours of continuous operation during 1998-1999.
—Government of India, Department of Atomic Energy Annual Report: 1998-1999, p. 3.

1998
The Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) records its highest production of pressurized heavy water reactor fuel bundles and reactor grade zirconium sponge. It also begins operating the New Zircaloy Uranium Fuel Assembly Plant and its Natural Uranium Oxide Fuel Project begins tail operations.
—Government of India, Department of Atomic Energy Annual Report: 1998-1999, pp. 3-4.

1998
The lead mini-cell facility for reprocessing fuel from the fast breeder test reactor (FBTR) at Kalpakkam reaches final stage of completion; it is scheduled to be commissioned in July 1999. The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) also conducts commissioning tests for uranium-233 recovery from irradiated thorium rods.
—Government of India, Department of Atomic Energy Annual Report: 1998-1999, p. 4.

1998
The nuclear waste immobilization plant (WIP) in Trombay reaches the last phase of mechanical completion; the WIP at Kalpakkam also nears completion.
—Government of India, Department of Atomic Energy Annual Report: 1998-1999, p. 4.

	Updated October 2003