HVK Archives: We are now equivalent to any nuclear weapons state
We are now equivalent to any nuclear weapons state - The Sunday Observer
Gayatri Ramanathan
()
May 17-23, 1998
Title: We are now equivalent to any nuclear weapons state
Author: Gayatri Ramanathan
Publication: The Sunday Observer
Date: May 17-23, 1998
Dr P K Iyengar, former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission,
uses one of the architects of the first Pokhran explosion in
1974. Since then Dr Iyengar has been an ardent advocate of
further testing. He spoke to Gayatri Ramanathan on a wide range
of issues following last Monday's and Wednesday's tests.
Excerpts from the Interview:
What is the significance of these tests?
Pokhran-I was a single device. It yielded 12 kilotons. Similarly,
three devices were made. One was a low-yield device, probably 1
or 2 kilotons, the second was a Pokhran-type device with a 10
kiloton yield. The third used isotopes of hydrogen, deuterium and
tritium so that there is a simultaneous fusion reaction m the
device so that the energy gets boosted 50 to 100 times.
Monday's tests clearly show that we have the entire capability
for making field weapons to missile warheads. It is a
demonstration of our capability. That is why the PM did not say
that this is a peaceful test. He just [described them as] nuclear
tests in the interests of the security of this country, which
means we are equivalent to any nuclear weapons state.
I think it was the right decision to test all three
simultaneously because the political and other ramifications of a
test are known and there is no need to go from one [test] to the
other. The present explosions cover the whole spectrum - from low-
yield devices for field operations to missile-borne devices. That
is one single fact that no one has brought out. It means India
has developed devices which are of practical use if the country
has a nuclear weapons programme - if there is a nuclear weapons
programme: I am not saying there is one.
How were Wednesday's tests different from the first three
explosions?
These were of a much lower yield, under a kiloton. Much more
useful in a field application. And the devices were designed
differently.
Are these specifically for military application?
Yes.
What was the need for these tests after Monday's series?
These are only to show that India is capable of building various
kinds of devices of lower and lower yields which are very useful
in field applications. Also, this gives us sufficient data for
future designs, including computer simulations.
Does this mean there will he further tests?
Not if the political climate is understanding, depending on the
repercussions. For the time being, there may be none. There are
no boundaries to what we can do. For instance, we haven't
experimented with the neutron bomb which the Chinese have. We may
decide to explode one in the future. That depends on the
government.
Will these tests lead to a nuclear arms race in the subcontinent?
Pakistan should realize that there is no point in going into a
rat race because we are so close to each other. That nuclear
weapons cannot be used even in a war. This is not a situation
where nuclear weapons can be used. It will not be prudent on the
part of Pakistan to enter into an arms race. It is not called
for. We have made it clear that we are not going to attack them.
Our strategy for defence is with respect to others who have moved
missiles on our borders. It is really aimed at China or others
who may turn like China. The US moved a nuclear warship into the
Bay of Bengal at the time of the Bangladesh war. That is what
made Mrs Gandhi decide to pursue our nuclear programme. Our
strategy is aimed at containing these people.
After these tests, do you think Pakistan will explode a nuclear
device?
There are no hold-ups on their exploding a device. But on the
other hand, they do not have a large enough infrastructure or the
scientific capability to continue a programme, of this kind.
Supposing they explode a bomb, does it make our position any
weaker?
Does it?
I don't think so. They have said they have the capability to make
a bomb. Probably, that [a test] would make it clear what this
capability is. It would confirm what we have already suspected.
Whether they have enough enriched uranium, whether they have the
capability to continue to build more of those weapons or whether
they can sustain it, these things will become clear.
Strategically, I don't think they should do that.
Do the tests mean we have another lever with which to bargain for
a real test ban treaty?
Yes. That is what I have been saying. After Pokhran-I there was
an ambiguity because nothing happened. And because of the secrecy
nobody knew what our capabilities are. But now we have said that
we have the capability for a whole range of weapons, not just
one. After all there are no bars to passing on a weapon which can
be at small as a little girl. So if you ask "will India weaponize
and at what cost?", there is no cost involved. It is much less
than buying the Bofors guns.
How has the Indian nuclear programme evolved from Pokhran-I up to
the present tests?
We always said that from Pokhran, the next step is to dg a
hydrogen bomb. Which we were ready to do 10 or 15 years ago. In
1982, there was an active programme for this, but then they got
cold feet, saying let us not create new problems. Nobody took a
decision. It could have been done in 1996 also. If you say that
in two months they made all the preparations, it is not be
possible. So they should have been working on it for some time.
So the preparations have been going on for some time.
Something must have been existing. Or at least the programme must
have been existing. We may not have executed it at the time.
How will the sanctions that have been Imposed affect the
development of the nuclear programme?
Those were anyway operative - NSG (the Nuclear Suppliers Group),
MTCR (Missile Technology Control Regime), the London Club, all
have been operative for the last 10 or 15 years. It hasn't
affected us. It has only helped us solve the problem ourselves.
For example, the tritium-removal system used in the thermonuclear
device, nobody was selling us the technology. So we developed it
ourselves. They should also realize that they are not dealing
with a banana republic.
Why did India stop after the first Pokhran test?
The atomic energy (department) was enthusiastic about trying new
things. But the general conditions in the country were against
that.
You mean there was no political will?
Yes. I hope the Pokhran tests will convince the people that it is
better to rely on self-help. There is a lethargy m the system and
that lethargy can be broken only by some path-breaking
approaches.
Do you think these Latest tests will be path-breaking in that
sense?
I would like to point out the spin-offs from these tests. For
example, nothing in these tests was imported, everything was
indigenous. Not only indigenous, it was created here. Even the
science behind it was created here.
You mean it is something that has not been tried anywhere?
They have done it abroad. they did it in an atmosphere of
secrecy. So what we did we have done on our own.
Where do we go from here?
That depends on what strategies the government follows on whether
we keep the option open, or should we have an arsenal, or should
we prepare the military for using this. I don't know, I am not
defence man.
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