CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN -- INDIA (DELETED) "THE DETONATION OCCURRED AT A

Created: 5/20/1974

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intonation occurredepthetara and wai completelyto tha chairman of India's AtonicDr. H. N. Sathna. Indian acientlatsan aerial survey over the araaha blaat reportedly detected no significant

Dr. Sathna alao claimed that the device wasentirely by India and that all components. Including tha plutonium, were produced locally. The device reportedly utilized the "implosion"ora sophisticated approach than the "gun assembly" method used by the DS in the bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

Dr. Sethna waa noncommittal whan aaXed if any mora tests worn planned. The New Delhi press, however, reported yesterdayeries of nuclear oxploeions will be carried out. No program was disclosed, but Indian officials are aald to have stated that thewould be to develop atomic devices for use in mining, canal construction, and deepening and widening of porta. They deny any intention to produce nuclear weapons, but there undoubtedly will be strong pressures on the government toilitary capability.

India probablyunber of .years has had the technical ability and sufficient weapons-grade plu-tonium touclear device.

The decision to go ahead at this time probably was made in order to boost India's saggingpreatiga and to divert public-attention from tha government's, mounting domestic; problems.The

n huurst of enthusiasm and national pride.

out-

ard-hitting public statement, Fe&atahl Prime Minister Bhutto insiatad that Pakistan vould never be intimidated by the threat created byuclear capability. He said that Pakistan wouldto secure political assurances against India's use ofuclear threat and that tha foreign secretary was being sent to China, France, and the UK, while he himself would raise the matter with Soviet leaders and with officials in Canada. The minister of state for foreign affairs and defense has been instructed to raise the issue at the CENTOin Washington and with US officials. Bhutto added that conclusiono-war pact, proposed by Indiaa out of the question now because such a. pact would amount to capitulation to blackmail.

Peking's initial reactionerse, factual broadcast by the New China News Agency;sservice someours after tha test. Chi- spokesmen have thus far refused to make anyto the press.

China has much.to sort out inub- tantivs response. Peking has consistently Mint tired f. that its own nuclear capability is purely defensive and is aimed solely at breaking the nuolear monopoly of the -superpowers." The Chinese have opposedarias limitations proposals, particularly8 Non-Proliferation Treaty, on the grounds thatontribute to thia monopoly. Peking has refused, for example, totand against 'ranee's development of independent nuclear capabilities, pending anagreement banning all nuclear weapons.

The Indian test, however, has direct security implications foreking hat long looked on New Delhiival in Asia,.and relations between

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