From global pressure to ‘Operation Shakti’: PM Modi revisits India’s Pokhran moment
Addressing the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav celebrations in Gujarat, the Prime Minister said May 11 marks the anniversary of the day India stunned the world by conducting nuclear tests in Rajasthan’s Pokhran despite intense international pressure and global scrutiny.
In his speech, Prime Minister Modi said, “The first three nuclear tests were carried out on May 11. Our champion scientists of India showcased India’s capabilities to the whole world.”
The BJP president recalled how many countries questioned India’s decision to go nuclear after the tests and tried to isolate the country diplomatically and economically.
“It created shock waves around the world. Various sanctions were imposed… However, two more nuclear tests were conducted on May 13. This showed the world how unshakable India’s political will really is,” he said.
“At that time, the pressure of the whole world was on India. But the Atal-ji-led BJP government showed that for us the nation comes first. No power in the world can subjugate India, no power can force it to bow to pressure,” he added.
The Prime Minister also emphasized that the nuclear mission was named “Operation Shakti” and described it as a symbol of India’s growing self-belief and strategic strength at that time.
The Pokhran-II tests, conducted on 11 and 13 May 1998, marked India’s official entry into the league of nuclear-armed states and triggered global sanctions against the country. But the tests also became a turning point in India’s strategic and geopolitical position, eventually paving the way for greater international involvement in the years that followed.
Associating the anniversary with themes of national pride and resilience, Prime Minister Modi praised Indian scientists for carrying out the operation in secrecy and successfully demonstrating the country’s technological and defense capabilities to the world.
