1974 in India

Reflecting back on India's first successful nuclear test in 1974, named "Smiling Buddha," we can see just how transformative it was to India's standing and reputation in the world stage. It is essential to understand the event's historical significance to fully appreciate how it affects the present geopolitical landscape.
 
India's desire to go nuclear stemmed from the need for energy to support its development after gaining independence in the late 1940s. Setting up an atomic energy commission and placing it under the direction of renowned physicist Homi J. Bhabha indicated early nuclear aspirations that focused primarily on power generation and scientific research. However, when conflicts with China heightened during the 1960s, India shifted its interests to developing nuclear arms as a strategic safeguard.
 
Clandestine preparations began in earnest in 1967 under then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who wanted India to have nuclear deterrence capabilities. This initiated an arduous seven-year endeavor for scientists and engineers who toiled to create the nation's first nuclear device under the covert supervision of physicist Raja Ramanna. After several years of trial and tribulation, India successfully completed the detonation of its first nuclear bomb on May 18th, 1974. Known as the "Smiling Buddha," the underground nuclear explosion carried the strength equivalent to a 12-kiloton device. India then became the world's sixth nuclear-armed power, following the United States, Soviet Union, United Kingdom, France, and China.
 
Although the government maintained the stance that the test was a peaceful nuclear explosion to advance civilian purposes, India's new-found nuclear might shook the world and sent geopolitical reverberations throughout various international entities. In addition to the varied global responses, such as reluctance to outright condemnation and outspoken concerns about proliferation, India faced significant economic consequences, including the suspension of economic aid and the termination of nuclear cooperation from select nations. This lead to the creation of the Nuclear Suppliers Group in 1975 to better prevent the spread of nuclear weapons by tightening control over the export of nuclear technology and resources.
 
Perhaps one of the most critical impacts of Smiling Buddha on regional dynamics stemmed from straining relationships between India, Pakistan, and China, with each consequently ramping up their nuclear initiatives. It was the start of an arms race between neighboring nations seeking stability in light of the emergence of the region's latest nuclear power.
 
In conclusion, the "Smiling Buddha" test has become a watershed moment for India's role in modern international affairs and geopolitical developments. Its influence in defining India's geopolitical landscape and recalibrating the dynamics of its relationships within its own region, particularly in regard to Pakistan and China, is longstanding and far-reaching, continuing to this present day.

Retro clips filmed in India?

1974 in India