BOMBAY: Scientists who were involved with the first atomic bomb test at Pokhran in Rajasthan on May 16, 1974, expressed shock at a report published in The New York Times that India was on the verge of a second test.

“Nonsense,” said the father of the first Indian atomic bomb Raja Ramanna. Describing the report as “a big lie,” he said. “They want to get us into trouble. The NYT hates us and they are pro-Pakistan.”

Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). Chidambaram said “I do not have to respond to every irresponsible report in the American media.”

Former AEC chairman Homi Sethna chosen Otto comment, Director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) AN. Prashad called it a “speculative report.” Satellites keep recording various types of activities, he added.

The newspaper had reported that in recent weeks American spy satellites had recorded scientific and technical activity at Pokhran. In 1974, US spy satellites missed the preparations going on for the underground explosion presumably on account of a dust storm in the area. The news of the successful test had come as a surprise to the Americans.

The man who is credited with the successful conduct of the Pokhran test, R. Dastidar, said “Personally, I would not believe the NYT report. US sources are not trustworthy.” The Americans wanted to deliberately embarrass India by showing that it ‘was not honoring its commitments. “This is all a part of an American strategy,” he added.

A few scientists, who spoke to The ‘Times of India News Service on condition of anonymity, said the report has come at a time when there was increasing American pressure on India to fall in line with the ongoing Negotiations on the Comprehensive ‘Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) which is to be signed next year.

There are clear differences between the perceptions of India and the US on this issue. The Indian stand is that the CTBT should be an instrument of total disarmament and all nuclear powers should enforce a total ban on nuclear weapons.

Another scientist felt if at all India was planning another test, it was an inopportune time to carry it out. For example, the French atomic test in the Pacific had evoked widespread criticism.

India is a signatory to the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) which prohibits atmospheric tests, but allows underground explosions. Despite the fact that this country has not signed any other treaty, it has voluntarily observed a moratorium on carrying out any further tests for the past 21 years.

Article extracted from this publication >> December 22, 1995