1974
India is designated as a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA's) Board of Governors (BOG) for the 18th year in succession since the inception of the Agency. The main reason for the appointment is India's position as one of the nine most advanced member-countries in the technology of atomic energy.
Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, "Annual Report: 1974-1975," p.14.
Early 1974
India's nuclear test preparations gather momentum. A small group including P.N. Haksar, former principal secretary to the prime minister, D.P. Dhar, incumbent principal secretary, Dr. B.D. Nag Chaudhuri, scientific adviser to the defense minister, Homi Sethna, chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), and Raja Ramanna, head of the nuclear test project, hold a series of undated meetings to decide on some of the critical decisions relating to the proposed nuclear test.
George Perkovich, "India Explodes A 'Peaceful' Nuclear Device," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, CA: The University of California Press, 1999) p.174.
January 1974
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi lays the foundation stone for the Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS), the fourth Atomic Power Station in the country. It will be located in the town of Narora in the state of Uttar Pradesh (UP).
K.K Pathak, Nuclear Policy of India: A Third World Perspective (New Delhi, India: Gitanjali Prakashan, 1980) p. 248.
6 February 1974
A special arrangement is concluded between the Department of Atomic Energy (AEC) and the Kernforschungsanlage Julich GmbH for implementation of the provisions contained in the existing bilateral agreement (signed October 1971) on cooperation between India and the Federal Republic of Germany in the peaceful uses of atomic energy and space research.
Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, "Annual Report: 1973-1974," p.167.
19 February 1974
The bomb team conducts a key experiment to validate M. Srinivasan's theoretical construct about neutron multiplication. Known as the approach to the criticality test, the experiment involves assembling the plutonium sphere and continuing the neutron activity generated prior to the implosion caused by the conventional explosives. In order to simulate the thickness of the conventional explosives, the team uses a cube of paraffin with a spherical hollow at the centre to fit the core.
Raj Chengappa, "Like Krishna Lifting A Hill," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi, India: Harper Collins Publishers India, 2000) p.191.
February 1974
The first series of final meetings pertaining to the proposed nuclear test are conducted. In this round, discussion centers on "the economic repercussions and possible political fallout of the experiment," according to Raja Ramanna.
George Perkovich, "India Explodes A 'Peaceful' Nuclear Device," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, CA: The University of California Press, 1999) p.174.
April 1974
A pilot scale fluidized-bed chlorination facility for reprocessing off-grade zircaloy scrap is successfully commissioned. In this facility, various types of zircaloy scrap such as ingot crowns, rejected tubing, plate scrap, end plugs, wire, mill turnings etc. are successfully chlorinated at optimum recovery levels.
Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, "Annual Report: 1974-1975," p.128.
April-September 1974
The Zirconium Sponge Plant located at the Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) in Hyderabad, suffers from an inadequate power supply and also from a shortage of argon gas during the first quarter.
Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, "Annual Report: 1974-1975," p.128.
April-December 1974
The Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) in Hyderabad fabricates and supplies an additional 1,372 fuel bundles to the Unit-1 reactor of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS).
Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, "Annual Report: 1974-1975," p.8.
April-December 1974
The Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) in Hyderabad also fabricates and supplies 80 units of enriched fuel assemblies to the Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS) in addition to the 80 supplied during 1973-74.
Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, "Annual Report: 1974-1975," p.8.
13 May 1974
Components of the nuclear device arrives at the Pokhran test site in the Rajashtan desert. Members of the nuclear team - Soni, Kakodkar, Iyengar, Venkatesan and Balakrishnan -- begin final preparations to assemble the device. Apart from the desert heat, the scientists are worried that the plutonium sphere will overheat the device. Kakodkar uses a specially designed copper disc to surround the plutonium sphere and dissipate the heat generated by its neutron activity.
Raj Chengappa, "Like Krishna Lifting A Hill," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi, India: HarperCollins Publishers India, 2000) p. 195.
13 May 1974
The nuclear team encounters extreme weather conditions in the Rajasthan desert, which hampers assembly of the nuclear device. The heat causes metal components of the device to expand preventing a snug fit.
Raj Chengappa, "Like Krishna Lifting A Hill," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi, India: HarperCollins Publishers India, 2000) p.196.
14 May 1974
After two days of apprehension the nuclear device is finally assembled by night time.
Raj Chengappa, "Like Krishna Lifting A Hill," Weapons of Peace: The Secret of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi, India: HarperCollins Publishers India, 2000) p.196.
15 May 1974
The nuclear device is wheeled out and lowered into the underground test shaft. A small sandstorm in the desert helps cover the actions of the scientists from satellites that may be hovering above.
Raj Chengappa, "Like Krishna Lifting A Hill," Wepaons of Peace: The Secret of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi, India: HarperCollins Publishers India, 2000) p.196.
16 May 1974
The Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Homi Sethna returns to the test site after securing final clearance from Prime Minister Gandhi to conduct the test
Raj Chengappa, "Like Krishna Lifting A Hill," Wepaons of Peace: The Secret of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi, India: HarperCollins Publishers India, 2000) p.197.
18 May 1974
India conducts a nuclear test at 8:05AM at Pokhran in the Rajasthan desert. The Indian Government announces the blast (without specifying the location) and declares it as "a peaceful nuclear explosion experiment." The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) states that India has "no intention of producing nuclear weapons."
George Perkovich, "India Explodes A 'Peaceful' Nuclear Device," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, CA: The University of California Press, 1999) p.178.
18 May 1974
Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi tells a press conference that "there's nothing to get excited about. This is our normal research and study. But we are firmly committed to only peaceful uses of atomic energy."
George Perkovich, "India Explodes A 'Peaceful' Nuclear Device," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, CA: The University of California Press, 1999) p.178.
19 May 1974
Pakistan reacts predictably to the Indian blast. Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto declares that the test is a threatening, "fateful development." He also states that Pakistan is "determined not to be intimidated" and would never fall prey to "nuclear blackmail" by India.
George Perkovich, "India Explodes A 'Peaceful' Nuclear Device," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, CA: The University of California Press, 1999) p.185.
21 May 1974
Ivan Head, chief foreign policy adviser to Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau, says that "India's May 18 explosion of nuclear device violates '71 understanding between India and Canada on Canadian aid to India's nuclear energy program." Also, Canadian Minister of Trade and Commerce, Mitchell W. Sharp, announces that Canada is re-examining its nuclear relations with India.
The New York Times, Information Bank Abstracts, 21 May 1974, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 21 May 1974, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
22 May 1974
Prime Minister Gandhi seeks to allay Pakistani concerns by writing to Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. In the letter she states, "We remain fully committed to our traditional policy of developing nuclear energy entirely for peaceful purposes. The recent underground nuclear experiment conducted by our scientists in no way alters this policy....There are no political or foreign policy implications of this test. We remain committed to settle all our differences with Pakistan peacefully through bilateral negotiations in accordance with the Simla Agreement."
George Perkovich, "India Explodes A 'Peaceful' Nuclear Device," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, CA: The University of California Press, 1999) p.185.
22 May 1974
Canada evinces the strongest international reaction to the nuclear explosion at Pokhran, reflecting a sense of betrayal at India's use of the Canadian-supplied CIRUS reactor as the source of the plutonium used in the peaceful nuclear explosion (PNE). As a result, Canada freezes all assistance to India for the Rajasthan-II Pressurized Heavy Water reactor (PHWR-Unit 2) and the Kota Heavy Water plant, both under construction.
George Perkovich, "India Explodes A 'Peaceful' Nuclear Device," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, CA: The University of California Press, 1999) p.186.
22 May 1974
India is criticized at the Geneva Disarmament Conference for having exploded a nuclear device on May 18. India's representative Brajesh C. Mishra rejects the suggestion that India is the "6th nuclear power." He also says that "all nations developing uses of nuclear energy are nuclear powers," and that "India has no intention of becoming a nuclear-weapon power."
The New York Times, Information Bank Abstracts, 22 May 1974, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 22 May 1974, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
24 May 1974
Indian officials reportedly feel that Canada's suspension of its nuclear aid to India, because of the underground nuclear test, will not affect India's nuclear energy program.
The New York Times, Information Bank Abstracts, 24 May 1974, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 24 May 1974, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
26 May 1974
The Indian Government stung by foreign criticism of its nuclear test, reacts with anger and dismay. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi delivers an African Liberation Day speech, in which she strongly defends the test and assures India's neighbors that there is nothing to fear. The Prime Minister also replies to criticism that "impoverished India cannot afford the luxury of nuclear experiment." She insists that "it is only through acquisition of higher technology that India can overcome its poverty and economic backwardness."
The New York Times, Information Bank Abstracts, 26 May 1974, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 26 May 1974, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
May 1974
The construction on the R-5 (Dhruva) research reactor commences with the award of excavation contract for the reactor building.
Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, "Annual Report: 1974-1975," p.9.
2 June 1974
The Jana Sangh's (opposition political party) Central Working Committee issues a resolution declaring May 18 was "a red letter day in Indian history." The party salutes the Indian scientists who "placed India on the nuclear map of the world."
George Perkovich, "India Explodes A 'Peaceful' Nuclear Device," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, CA: The University of California Press, 1999) p.179.
6 June 1974
Pakistani Prime Minister Bhutto responds to Indira Gandhi (in a letter), in which he denies any distinction between a peaceful and a military nuclear detonation and declares India's new military capability "a permanent factor to be reckoned with." Pakistan calls on the nuclear weapons states (NWS) to provide non-nuclear weapons states (NNWS) with protection against nuclear threats and then cancels talks with India on normalization of relations, which had been scheduled for June 10.
George Perkovich, "India Explodes A 'Peaceful' Nuclear Device," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, CA: The University of California Press, 1999) pp.185-186.
June 1974
Despite the May 18th nuclear test, the United States proceeds to ship an installment of previously approved uranium fuel for India's Tarapur reactor. The US administration concludes that the Indian test did not violate any agreement with the United States and that Washington is mandated by the 1963 nuclear cooperation agreement and related 1966 contract, to sell enriched uranium to India for the Tarapur reactor.
George Perkovich, "India Explodes A 'Peaceful' Nuclear Device," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, CA: The University of California Press, 1999) p.184.
4 July-12 October 1974
The Unit-1 reactor of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) is shut down due to failure of some of the blades of the HP rotor of the turbine, and for annual maintenance.
Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, "Annual Report: 1974-1975," p.123.
22 July 1974
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi makes a statement in the Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament) concerning China's reaction to the peaceful nuclear explosion (PNE). She says, "China responded to the Indian PNE with conscious aloofness, reporting the event without comment."
George Perkovich, "India Explodes A 'Peaceful' Nuclear Device," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, CA: The University of California Press, 1999) p.187.
July 1974
Dr. Raja Ramanna, lead scientist of the Pokharan explosion, says that the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FTBR) at the Reactor Research Centre in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu is "coming out of the ground," and that it "should be operating by 1977-78," and that by the early 1980's they (Department of Atomic Energy) would be able to design a breeder reactor for commercial operation. More specifically, the department will have obtained considerable experience on such systems to be able to design a power breeder reactor to come up in the late 1980's.
Dhirendra Sharma, India's Nuclear Estate (New Delhi, India: Lancers Publishers, 1983) pp. 99,159.
July 1974
The Unit-2 Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) at the Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS) is shut down for refueling.
Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, "Annual Report: 1974-1975," p.7.
July 1974
The site layout for the Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS) is finalized by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, "Annual Report: 1974-1975," p.126.
8 August 1974
The Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament) debates the nuclear test.
Raj Chengappa, "The Wages of Armageddon," Weapons of Peace: The Secret of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi: HarperCollins Publishers India, 2000) p.205.
29 August 1974
India's deputy defense minister tells Parliament that India is watching China's nuclear development but that the Indian government does not fear a Chinese nuclear threat.
George Perkovich, "India Explodes A 'Peaceful' Nuclear Device," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, CA: The University of California Press, 1999) p.187.
16-21 September 1974
Dr. H.N. Sethna, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), leads an Indian delegation to participate in the 18th regular session of the IAEA General Conference in Vienna, Austria.
Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, "Annual Report: 1974-1975," p.14.
September 1974
The US and Indian Atomic Energy Commissions (AEC's) engage in a brief negotiations over safeguards and other assurances that would be required before additional fuel can be sent to India for the Tarapur nuclear reactors.
George Perkovich, "India Explodes A 'Peaceful' Nuclear Device," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, CA: The University of California Press, 1999) p.184.
September 1974
The Unit-1 Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) of the Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS) suffers a severe set-back due to the total loss of power caused by an operator-error in the switchyard, which is managed by the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB). This error causes extensive flooding damage in the Unit drywell and also causes suffering to the Unit-2 reactor.
Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, "Annual Report: 1974-1975," p.122.
October 1974
The Atomic Power Authority (APA) takes over control of the switchyard from the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB).
Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, "Annual Report: 1974-1975," p.122.
1 December 1974
As of this date, the total strength of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is 10,531. This total number comprises of 2,716 scientific, 4,663 technical, 1,240 administrative and 1,912 general maintenance and auxiliary staff.
Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, "Annual Report: 1974-1975," p.109.
22 December 1974
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visits the nuclear test site at Pokharan. She takes a quick ride around the crater and stops for photo opportunities.
Raj Chengappa, "The Wages of Armageddon," Wepaons of Peace: The Secret of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi: HarperCollins Publishers India, 2000) p.210.
