This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.
Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.
1920
The United Kingdom sends stocks of mustard gas to India to use against rebels in the northwest frontier.
—Maria Haug, "Historical Chemical Weapons Sites in The Asia Pacific Region," Bonn International Center for Conversion, <htpp://www/bicc.dr/weapons.chemweap/asiaac/India.htm>.
Early 1930s
The United Kingdom establishes a chemical weapons research facility in Rawalpindi. [Note: Rawalpindi is now part of the territory of Pakistan.]
—Maria Haug, Historical Chemical Weapons Sites in the Asia-Pacific Region, <http://www.bicc.de/weapons/chemweap/asiapac/india.html>.
1938
Acharya P.C. Ray, an Indian chemical industrialist, brings together a group of his fellow chemical industrialists to help promote the interests of the nascent chemical industry.
—<http://www.icmaindia.com/au01.html>.
1930s and 1940s
The United Kingdom carries out chemical weapon tests throughout different locations in India and Pakistan.
—Maria Haug, "Historical Chemical Weapons Sites in The Asia Pacific Region," Bonn International Center for Conversion, <htpp://www/bicc.dr/weapons.chemweap/asiaac/India.htm>.
19 May-12 June 1942
At the chemical weapon test site in Deolali (Uttar Pradesh), India, 600 artillery rounds, each containing 25 pounds of mustard shells, and lachrymatory (B4) shells, are test fired.
—Maria Haug, "Historical Chemical Weapons Sites in the Asia Pacific Region," Bonn International Center for Conversion, <http://www.bicc.de/weapons/chemweap/asiapac/india.html>.
December 1943
A test trial of four 250-pound phosgene bombs is carried out near Dehra Dun near the Raiwala railway station.
—Maria Haug, "Historical Chemical Weapons Sites in The Asia Pacific Region," Bonn International Center for Conversion, <http://www.bicc.de/weapons/chemweap/asiapac/india.html>.
1944
The British move the Chemical Research Defense Establishment from Rawalpindi, Pakistan to Cannanore, India.
—Maria Haug, "Historical Chemical Weapons Sites in The Asia Pacific Region," Bonn International Center for Conversion, <htpp://www/bicc.dr/weapons.chemweap/asiaac/India.htm>.
1945
The United Kingdom conducts trials using mustard and phosgene cells and mustard and phosgene agents in Coimbatore, Kumbla, and Porkhal. Tests using mustard are conducted at Chakra and aircraft spray tests were conducted at Cambellpur. Protective gear is tested in Bombay and Kanpoor. Unspecified tests were conducted in Kirkee, Bombay, Bangalore, and Delhi. Storage trials are held at numerous locations including Kirkee, Bombay, Madras, Ferozepore Arsenal, and Fort William Depot. Other sites include one near Mangalore, which had two "experimental" stations and another at Dum Dum, which tests respiratory effects.
—Maria Haug, "Historical Chemical Weapons Sites in The Asia Pacific Region," Bonn International Center for Conversion, <htpp://www/bicc.dr/weapons.chemweap/asiaac/India.htm>.
May 1945
In three separate cases, the United States dumps chemical munitions into the Bay of Bengal. In the first incident, the United States dumps 37,957 M70 bombs containing mustard, 1,496 M78 bombs containing phosgene, 8,742 M79 bombs containing phosgene, and 2,512 M79 bombs containing cyanogenchloride. In the second incident, it dumps 608 drums (each 55 gallons) of bulk mustard and 4,500 M47 bombs containing mustard. In the third incident, it dumps 572 drums (each 55 gallons) of bulk mustard and 4,693 M47 bombs containing mustard.
—William R. Brankowitz, "Meeting Notes-Summary of Some Chemical Munitions Sea Dumps by the United States," US EPA Office of Water, 30 January 1989.
November 1945
The United States dumps 2,672 M70 bombs containing mustard, 910 M78 bombs containing phosgene, 2,672 drums (each a ton container) of bulk mustard, and 833 drums (each a ton container) of bulk lewisite into the Bay of Bengal.
—William R. Brankowitz, "Meeting Notes-Summary of Some Chemical Munitions Sea Dumps by the United States," US EPA Office of Water, 30 January 1989.
1947
Great Britain closes its Chemical Defense Research Establishment in India.
—Christopher Bellamy, "Britain Comes Clean on Nerve Gas," The Independent, 28 May 1997, p. 4.
1947
The Jiwaji Industrial Research Laboratory is established by Lord Mountbatten, the Governor General of India in Gwalior.
—Defense Research & Development Establishment, <http://www.drdo.org/labs/material/drde/history.shtml>.
1948
The Indian Defense Science Organization is established.
—Captain Paul McQuay, "Summary of The Indian Defense Science And Technology Organization," 16 March 1995, <http://www.nmjc.org/aoard/9501.html>.
1956
The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd, is set up in New Delhi. The corporation, owned by the Indian government, is set up to help Indian companies with the import and export of their products.
—The State Trading Corporation of India, Ltd, <http://www.stcindia.com/about.htm>.
1958
The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is established as an amalgamation of the Technical Development Establishment (TDE) of the Indian Army, the Directorate of Technical Development, and the Defense Science Organization. DRDO is set up to provide the Armed Services with new technology.
—John Pike, "Defense Research And Development Organization: Indian Special Weapons Agencies," Federation of American Scientists, 29 May 2002, <http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/india/agency/drdo.htm>; Captain Paul McQuay, "Summary of The Indian Defense Science And Technology Organization," 16 March 1995, <http://www.nmjc.org/aoard/9501.html>, accessed 5/30/01; DRDO, <http://www.drdo.com>.
1960
Field Research Laboratory (FRL) is founded in Leh under the control of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
—Defense Research Development Organization, <http://www.drdo.org/labs/dis/fri/history.shtml>.
April 1961
An agricultural research center is established at Leh under the auspices of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
—Defense Agricultural Research Laboratory, <http://www.drdo.org/labs/drl/darl/history.shtml>.
1962
The Field Research Laboratory (FRL) becomes part of DRDO, under the control of the Defense Science Laboratory in Delhi. The lab is set up to make the hostile terrain of Jammu and Kashmir conducive to agriculture.
—Field Research Laboratory, <http://www.drdo.com/labs/dls/frl/history.shtml>.
9 February 1962
The Research & Development Establishment, Pune, is founded as an amalgamation of the Technical Development Establishment, Ahmeadnagar, and Inspectorate of Engineering Stores, Calcutta. It is set up as a nodal establishment to meet the technical requirements of Army engineers.
—Defense Research Laboratory, <http://www.drdo.org/labs/combat/r&de/history.shtml>.
July 1962
The agricultural research center in Leh is transferred to the Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO) and becomes the Agricultural Research Unit (ARU) in order to study crops grown at high altitudes.
—Defense Agricultural Research Laboratory, <http://www.drdo.com/labs/dls/darl/history.shtml.
1965
Transpek a chemical company set up to make transparent acrylic sheets, is established in Vadodara. Transpek later sells potential chemical weapons precursors to Syria in 1989.
—"Who are we?" Transpek, <http://www.transpek.com/trans_who.htm>.
1973
The Jiwaji Industrial Research Laboratory is taken over by the Ministry of Defense and becomes the Defense Research & Development Establishment.
—Defense Research & Development Establishment (Materials), "Historical Background," <http://www.drdo.org//labs/material/drde/history.shtml>.
1976
The Defense Material & Storage R & D Establishment (DMSRDE) is established. The establishment is an amalgamation of three other establishments-DRL, TSRDE, and the Defense Institute of Stores Preservation and Packaging. DMSRDE is set up to facilitate interdisciplinary research and development and to provide indigenous items to all three branches of the armed services.
—Defense Material & Storage R & D Establishment, <http://www.drdo.org/labs/material/dmsrde/index.shtml>.
1979
India begins work on the Agni missile. The missile is India's first intermediate-range ballistic missile and is capable of carrying chemical warheads.
—"Offensive Weapons, India," Jane's, <http://www.janes.com>; Federation of American Scientists, Weapons of Mass Destruction: WMD Around the World, "Agni," <http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/india/missile/agni.htm>.
9-15 March 1979
The Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR A.N. Kosygin makes an official week-long visit to India. During the visit, both India and the USSR agree to work together to "prohibit and eliminate" chemical weapons
—"Joint Communique," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 17 March 1979, Part 3, The Far East; C. Kosygin's visit to India.
