In a recent revelation, Anil Kakodkar, former chairman of India's Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), shared that Siegfried Hecker, ex-director of the renowned Los Alamos National Laboratory in the US, believed India would never abandon its nuclear weapons program. This insight came to light during Kakodkar's address at an event in New Delhi commemorating the 50th anniversary of "Smiling Buddha," India's first nuclear test.
Hecker, a prominent figure in the US nuclear establishment, reportedly testified before the US Senate in 2008.He asserted that the sanctions imposed on India after its 1998 Pokhran-2 nuclear tests would not deter the nation from its nuclear ambitions. According to Kakodkar, Hecker stated, "I don't think our sanctions have particularly stopped its (India) nuclear weapons programme. What our sanctions have done is slow down their nuclear energy programmes."
Hecker's assessment, based on his deep understanding of nuclear science and policy, highlighted India's commitment to maintaining a "minimum credible deterrence." This policy emphasizes the use of nuclear weapons solely in retaliation, aiming to ensure regional peace and stability.
The revelation of Hecker's testimony sheds new light on the international perception of India's nuclear program during that period. It also underscores India's unwavering resolve to pursue its nuclear capabilities despite external pressures.
The event in New Delhi, organized by the National Academy of Sciences, also featured R Chidambaram, another former AEC chairman and a key figure in India's nuclear tests in 1998. Chidambaram emphasized the importance of nuclear weapons for a country like India, stating that there is "no real difference" between a peaceful nuclear explosion and a nuclear weapons test, except in "terms of packaging."
This revelation comes at a time when India continues to play a significant role in global nuclear discussions. As a nuclear-armed nation, India's policies and actions have far-reaching implications for regional and international security.
