May 25, 1998

The nuclear journey through various governments.

INDIRA GANDHI: Ordered the country's first nuclear explosion on May 18, 1974. Though she maintained that the test was for "peaceful purposes", her government later scheduled more tests, which, however, were scrapped fearing US reprisal.

RAJIV GANDHI: Though his government was aware of Pakistan's plans to make nuclear weapons, he did little about it except lodge periodic complaints with the US. Came up with a grandiose plan for global disarmament which had no buyers.

V.P. SINGH: Confronted with the Pakistani nuclear threat, he appointed Raja Ramanna, one of the two scientists involved in the 1974 test as minister of state for defence. Was among the first to congratulate Vajpayee on the latest series of tests.

P.V. NARASIMHA RAO: Shocked at the lack of activity in the Indian nuclear programme, he provided funds and sought to put it back on the rails. Ordered tests in 1995 and 1996 but called them off under international pressure.

I.K. GUJRAL: Had all the ingredients for tests but did not do so because of his own beliefs. For him, not signing the CTBT was enough guarantee of the country's security. However, Gujral now wants the Vajpayee Government to sign the CTBT

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