Did Congress Cancel the 1995 Nuclear Test Due to US Pressure?

Synopsis
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey claims that Congress, under US pressure, canceled a 1995 nuclear test plan. He cites declassified documents and calls out Rahul Gandhi's historical fears of American influence. This revelation raises questions about international relations and domestic politics. What does this mean for India's defense strategy?
Key Takeaways
- Nishikant Dubey claims the Congress government canceled a nuclear test due to US pressure.
- Former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao was ready to proceed with the test.
- The leak of information to the US allegedly prompted intervention from the US President.
- The BJP conducted successful nuclear tests in 1998, showcasing a different approach.
- Dubey calls for an investigation into historical ties with China.
New Delhi, June 11 (NationPress) BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has claimed, referencing declassified documents, that the Congress administration, under significant pressure from the United States, abandoned plans for a nuclear test in 1995.
He asserted that the fear of American repercussions was a major factor in this decision, despite the readiness expressed by former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao.
"Take a moment to revisit the history of how Rahul Gandhi, whom I refer to as 'Rahul Baba,' exhibits a fear of America," Dubey stated in a post on X on Wednesday.
"In 1995, Prime Minister Narasimha Rao had resolved to conduct a nuclear test, but sensitive information was allegedly leaked by a senior minister or government official to the United States."
Dubey further suggested that this leak prompted direct intervention from the US President, who allegedly sent an urgent nighttime telegram to the Indian Prime Minister's Principal Secretary, requesting a meeting.
"The Charge d’Affairs was instructed to organize a meeting with PMO Principal Secretary Varma for Ambassador Wisner upon his return to New Delhi," the relevant section of the classified document shared by Dubey stated.
According to Dubey, this external pressure compelled the Congress government to cancel the test due to apprehensions.
"Conversely, when the BJP assumed power under Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1998, we proceeded with the nuclear tests at Pokhran despite facing international sanctions and diplomatic pressure," he remarked.
"Prime Minister Modi has demonstrated similar determination in recent years. Rahul Gandhi should reflect on our history," Dubey added.
Earlier on Monday, Dubey demanded an investigation into the purported historical connections between the Nehru-Gandhi family and China, based on revelations from declassified documents linked to the 1961 Belgrade Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
"Rahul Baba, are you aware that at China's request, your family's patriarch Nehru ji devised the new concept of non-aligned nations? Observe the member countries of the first conference in Belgrade in 1961. After isolating India from both Russia and America, did any nation come to India's aid during or after the 1962 war with China?" Dubey questioned.