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.

8 January 1980
US State Department spokesperson Hodding Carter says the United States plans to negotiate the issue of nuclear fuel supplies with India and the issue would be decided on "larger grounds" than the return of the Congress party led by Indira Gandhi to power.
—"US-India Discussions Planned on Nuclear Fuel," Associated Press, 8 January 1980; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 8 January 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

27 January 1980
Unit 1 of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) stops producing power. Joint Secretary of India's Ministry of Energy B. Sinha says the government expects some information on the power outage by 1 February.
—"An Unexpected Outage of India's RAPP-1 Nuclear Unit," Nucleonics Week, 31 January 1980, p. 4.

February 1980
A report by an Indian government sponsored "official working group on energy policy" concludes that India's current uranium resources are sufficient to support the first stage of the country's nuclear power program of about 8,000MW. Of the current estimates of 34,000 tons of uranium ore, 15,000-tons are considered economically exploitable. An additional 27,000 of uranium ore may also be available. The report suggests that new "target areas" for uranium resources have been identified in the "crystal lines" of Madhya Pradesh; uraniferrous zones have also been discovered in the "pre-Cambrian conglomerates" in Rajasthan and other parts of central India. However, the report is optimistic that India's thorium deposits are expected to yield approximately 363,000-tons of thorium oxide, a quantity sufficient to support a "very large capacity" of thorium-fueled reactors in the later stages of the nuclear power program.
—"India Says It Has 61,000 Tonnes of U3O8," Nuclear Fuel, 18 February 1980, p. 5.

12 February 1980
Financial Express (Mumbai) reports that heavy water leakage caused a power outage at the Unit 1 of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) on January 27. The unit will not resume operations before February 15.
—"The Outage of India's RAPP-1 Nuclear Unit Last Month Was Caused," Nucleonics Week, 14 February 1980, p. 4.

15 February 1980
Finland signs a memorandum of understanding with India to provide technical assistance in the construction of nuclear power stations.
—"Finland Cooperation," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 27 February 1980; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 27 February 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

Late February 1980
A Press Trust of India report quotes an informed source as saying that leaks in coolant pipes at the Tarapur facility could have caused a major nuclear accident had the plant not already been shut down for a test. The source claims that there was the possibility of the nuclear core melting and radioactive water flooding the plant. India's Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) confirms the leaks in the coolant pipes, but describes them as "insignificant." DAE officials say that repairs of the "pinhole leaks" discovered during the test are underway.
—International News, Associated Press, 2 March 1980, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 2 March 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

March 1980
Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman Homi Sethna says that even if the United States fails to honor its commitment to supply enriched uranium fuel for the Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS), the station will not shut down. India is considering the possibility of using mixed oxide fuel as an alternative to the US-supplied enriched uranium fuel. Sethna says that India is also negotiating with France for the supply of enriched uranium fuel for the Kalpakkam fast breeder test reactor (FBTR); the reactor is slated for commissioning in mid-1981.
—"India's 400MW Tarapur Nuclear Station Will not Shut Down," Nucleonics Week, 20 March 1980, p. 9.

10 March 1980
The "grace period" under the 1978 US Nuclear Nonproliferation Act, during which all recipients of US nuclear technology were required to submit to full-scope international safeguards, ends. India declines to accept full-scope safeguards on its nuclear facilities, insisting that the United States is obliged to supply enriched uranium fuel for the Tarapur nuclear facility under a long-term agreement signed before Congress passed the new law. US State Department spokesperson Hodding Carter says that the United States could nevertheless approve two major shipments of nuclear fuel for India's Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS) since the requests were submitted before September 1979, the preliminary deadline under the new law. Sources suggest the United States is seeking Indian assurances that it will refrain from reprocessing spent nuclear fuel from Tarapur into weapons-grade plutonium and will abstain from manufacturing nuclear weapons.
—Robert B. Cullen "US May Still Ship Nuclear Fuel to India," Associated Press, 10 March 1980; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 10 March 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

13 March 1980
In an address to parliament, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi says her government "remains committed to the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes [but it] would not hesitate from carrying out nuclear explosions...or whatever is necessary in the national interests." She remarks, "we must have our eyes and ears open...and be in touch with the latest technology."
—"Mrs. Gandhi Leaves Open Her Nuclear Options," Associated Press, 13 March 1980, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 13 March 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

20 March 1980
Responding to some parliamentarians demand that India renounce the Indo-US nuclear fuel supply contract for the Tarapur plant, external affairs minister P.V. Narasimha Rao tells Lok Sabha (India's lower house of parliament) that "the time has not come to abrogate" the agreement. Rao adds that the government is "prepared to meet any contingency arising from non-supply of fuel."
—"Not Ready to Cancel a US Nuclear Fuel Supply Contract," Associated Press, 20 March 1980, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 20 March 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

14 March 1980
The chairman of India's Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), Dr. H.N. Sethna, says the AEC is planning to build three more heavy water plants in India; these plants will likely be based on the hydrogen-sulphide water-exchange process and need not be coupled with fertilizer plants.
—"Nuclear Energy," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 26 March 1980; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 14 March 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

27 March 1980
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi notifies Rajya Sabha (India's upper house of parliament) that India needs to set up more heavy water plants to achieve self-sufficiency in heavy water. Gandhi says the plants in Nangal, Baroda, and Tuticorin have begun heavy water production; the plant in Talcher is in the process of completion; and the Kota plant should be ready by November 1980.
—"Nuclear Energy," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 9 April 1980; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 9 April 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

April 1980
The Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) submits a proposal to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to build a nuclear reactor for a nuclear submarine at a cost of approximately 1.5 billion rupees. The BARC proposal is reviewed by a naval team led by Captain Bharat Bhushan and his deputy Subbarao. The Indian Navy identifies 14 design flaws in the proposed reactor design, and points to violations of some basic safety requirements observed in nuclear submarines. The Navy's assessment is reviewed by the prime minister who declines BARC's request. Subsequent to the rejection, BARC begins working on its fourth reactor design.
—Raj Chengappa, "Do You Want Our Skulls Cracked," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi: HarperCollins Publishers India, 2000), pp. 248-249.

April 1980
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi hints that India is developing uranium enrichment technology. In a statement before parliament, Gandhi says, "...so far as enrichment [uranium] is concerned... we want to be ready...I do not think it would be proper to mention the details [of the program] publicly."
—"Indian Enrichment Experiments Ostensibly for Weapons Purposes Continue," Nucleonics Week, 10 April 1980, p. 12.

April 1980
Nucleonics Week reviews operations of India's heavy water plants and reports the Tuticorin plant has been working "fairly well" since the beginning of 1980. The Tuticorin plant was commissioned in mid-1978 but initial operations were not smooth due to "wide fluctuations in voltage and because its feed material was cut off by the temporary shutdown of the ammonia plant of the Southern Petrochemical Industries Corp. fertilizer complex." The Baroda heavy water plant was initially scheduled for commissioning in late 1975. However, it was shut down in 1977, merely seven months after heavy water production began, "due to an explosion caused by the mechanical failure of an ammonia quench pipe." The Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Homi Sethna attributes this accident to "poor design standards and the quality of the metal used." Sethna remarks that "the entire high-pressure portion of the plant was damaged by the fire..., the terminal insulation and electric wiring were burned out and the instrumentation was affected." The Baroda plant is expected to resume operations in late April 1980. Baroda will supply heavy water to Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) at Kalpakkam and later to Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS) in Uttar Pradesh. According to the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), the Talcher heavy water plant was "mechanically ready" since December 1979 but commissioning was delayed due to severe power shortages in Orissa. A heavy water plant at Kota is expected to be commissioned by mid-1981. The Kota plant uses the hydrogen sulfide water exchange process, developed indigenously. Nucleonics Week claims the Nangal plant in Punjab is the only heavy water plant that has been operating consistently since its commissioning in 1962. The Nangal plant supplies heavy water to the CIRUS research reactor.
—"India's Four Large Heavy Water Plants are Beginning to Come into Service," Nucleonics Week, 17 April 1980, p. 9.

8 May 1980
US President Jimmy Carter issues an executive order authorizing the export of enriched uranium for the Tarapur nuclear facility for a period of two years. A spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) says Carter's "decision is only an interim step, but it is a positive one... India is awaiting further developments and arrival of the fuel."
—"India Welcomes Carter's Decision to Resume Supply of Enriched Uranium," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 9 May 1980; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 9 May 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

16 May 1980
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) denies an export license for two shipments of 46,689-pounds of low-enriched uranium fuel and replacement parts to India's Tarapur reactor and forwards its ruling to President Carter for final decision. The commission is required by the US Atomic Energy Act to ensure that exports will not be diverted toward the production of nuclear weapons or be transferred to a third country without US permission. Commissioners Victor Gilinsky and Peter Bradford hold that a favorable presidential decision to export the fuel will "gravely" impair the Nuclear Nonproliferation Act of 1978. Commissioner Kennedy, although absent for the vote, says that he is in favor of a presidential decision to approve the exports. The remaining two commissioners concur in denying the export application. The NRC's denial of the export application is based on Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's refusal to rule out any further tests of nuclear devices. The NRC chairman John Ahearne notes he voted in favor of exports for the Tarapur station in March 1979 because the earlier Morarji Desai government had "acted responsibly and courageously" on nonproliferation safeguards. However, the successor Indira Gandhi government has made "no progress" in achieving full-scope safeguards and according to a State Department memorandum, Gandhi's government has not ruled "out the option of so-called peaceful nuclear experiments, should this be considered in India's interest."
—Stan Benjamin "NRC Refuses to Approve Nuclear Shipments; Issue Goes to Carter," Associated Press, 16 May 1980, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "NRC Refuses to Approve Nuclear Shipments," Associated Press, 17 May 1980; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 17 May 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Congressional Fight Seen If Carter Approves India Fuel Exports," Nucleonics Week, Vol. 21 No. 21, 22 May 1980, pp. 1-2.

22 May 1980
Congressmen Ed Markey, Thomas Downey, John Buchanan, and Mickey Edwards appeal to President Carter to ban further shipments of enriched uranium to fuel India's Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS) on grounds that "...India has exploded a nuclear device using nuclear materials from a civilian program, and since India steadfastly asserts its right to future atomic tests..."
—"Carter Urged to Halt Nuclear Shipments to India," Associated Press, 22 May 1980, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 22 May 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

28 May 1980
India receives the first installment of heavy water from the Soviet Union. Under an agreement signed by the two countries in February 1979, the Soviet Union agreed to supply India with a total of 250 tons of heavy water. In April 1980, India was also finally able to use 200 tons of heavy water purchased from the Soviet Union delivered under a contract in 1976, after the latter agreed to waive the full inspection condition.
—"India Receives 30 Tons of Heavy Water from Soviet Union," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 29 May 1980, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 29 May 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "India Receives First Shipment of Heavy Water," Associated Press, 29 May 1980; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 29 May 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

1 June 1980
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi tells a US congressional delegation that while India opposes the development of nuclear weapons, it could not rule out nuclear explosions for peaceful purposes. Explaining the reasons behind India's refusal to sign the nuclear nonproliferation treaty Gandhi says, "it was impractical...[and] had no consequence."
—"India Might Conduct Nuclear Explosion for 'Peaceful Purposes'," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 1 June 1980, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 June 1980 <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

5 June 1980
Commenting on the controversy in the United States regarding the supply of low-enriched uranium fuel and spare parts for the Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS) to India, a spokesperson for India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) says, "we will not take a position in this matter...it's none of our business how the US government conducts its internal affairs. We have a contract and either the US government delivers or it doesn't." The spokesperson adds, "We have been very patient. One shipment is more than 18 months overdue and in any normal business transaction you [the United States] would have been sued for breach of contract. But we are prepared to understand that you [the United States] have your difficulties." An Indian Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) discloses that because of the delay in the US shipment, work had virtually stopped at the Hyderabad-based nuclear fuel fabrication facility. The facility had run out of fresh fuel and was operating at one-fifth of its capacity.
—"The Indian Foreign Ministry Gave a Noncommittal Response," Nucleonics Week, 5 June 1980, pp. 4-5.

11 June 1980
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi concedes in parliament that "uncertainties and delays" over a nuclear fuel shipment from the United States had forced India to reduce the output of the Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS). Gandhi also confirms that India's atomic power station in Rajasthan is suffering operational problems due to pipe leakages.
—"Delayed US Fuel Shipment Curbed Indian A-Plant," New York Times, 11 June 1980, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 12 June 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

19 June 1980
US President Carter overrules the decision of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to deny export licenses for the supply of enriched uranium to India's Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS). US Secretary of State Warren Christopher says that there is a danger that the Soviet Union will "supplant the United States" should the latter refuse to supply enriched uranium to India. He adds that "a positive decision on Tarapur will encourage India in the long term to act in ways consistent with US interests."
—Gene Kramer "India Says US Nuclear Fuel is for Peace," Associated Press, 20 June 1980, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 20 June 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "US to Export Nuclear Fuel to India," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 20 June 1980, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 20 June 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

20 June 1980
Responding to US President Carter's decision to export nuclear fuel to India, a spokesperson for India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) J.N. Dixit says that the Indian government is "still awaiting further developments." He remarks that the government is aware of a 60-day lag before the actual delivery of the fuel. During this time, the US Congress can overrule the president's decision by a two-thirds majority. Further, Dixit assures that India's nuclear program exists entirely for peaceful purposes. However, he notes that the government does not rule out the possibility of carrying out a nuclear test if it is necessary for peaceful nuclear energy projects. Dixit also categorically states the Indian government reserves the right to reconsider any policy for national security purposes.
—Gene Kramer "India Says US Nuclear Fuel is for Peace," Associated Press, 20 June 1980, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 20 June 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

9 July 1980
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi informs parliament that the fuel for Rajasthan and Madras atomic power stations has been developed indigenously. She says that uranium ore was recently discovered in the Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh; the grade of the ore will become known after more research.
—"Nuclear Energy," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 23 July 1980, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 23 July 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

13 July 1980
The 235MW turbo-generator for the Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS) is successfully tested at the Ranipur Heavy Electricals plant in Uttar Pradesh state. The nuclear turbine for the generating unit will be built at the Bhopal unit of Bharat Heavy Electricals.
—"Engineering," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 30 July 1980, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 30 July 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

16 July 1980
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi tells Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament) that the fuel and heavy water bottlenecks that stand in the way of the successful implementation of India's nuclear power program will be resolved. Unlike the Tarapur station, which is dependent on the supply of enriched uranium from the United States, other nuclear power stations in Rajasthan and Madras will use indigenously mined and processed natural uranium fuel. The Indian government is also planning to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of heavy water. The heavy water plant at Baroda, which was shut down in 1977 after an accident, is expected to resume production in July 1980. Similarly, the Tuticorin plant, which faced shutdowns due to interruptions in the supply of power and gas, is being modified to ensure sustained production.
—"Nuclear Energy," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 30 July 1980; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

17-18 July 1980
During the debate in Parliament, Congress Party member V.Chaturvedi calls on the government to develop India's nuclear capability and acquire nuclear weapons from other countries if necessary. Congress Party member V.N. Gadgil says India should revise its defense strategy due to Pakistan's attempts to develop nuclear weapons. H.K.L. Bhagat says that India has "no option" but to develop nuclear weapons since China already has them and Pakistan's attempts to acquire them. The representative of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Atal Bihari Vajpayee says that in case Pakistan builds nuclear weapons, India will also have to consider developing them to keep its options open.
—James Hatton "Urge Development of India Nuclear Capability," Associated Press, 18 July 1980; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 18 July 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

August 1980
A spokesman of India's Department of Atomic Energy tells Nuclear Fuel that India has indigenous uranium resources of 53,000 tons "of which 30,000 tons are reasonably assured and 23,000 tons are estimated." According to the spokesperson, India expects to have 5,000MW of heavy water reactor capacity by the turn of the century. India currently has only one uranium production site at Jaduguda, Bihar. The most promising of the recent discoveries is Bodel in Madhya Pradesh where "a uraniferrous zone over a strike length of 990 meters with an average thickness of 1.2 meters" was discovered. Approximately 90 tons of uranium ore have been mined at Bodel to date yet feasibility study of long-term investment is still in progress.
—"India Sees No Problems in Fuel Supply Whether or Not US Cuts Off Exports," Nuclear Fuel, 1 September 1980, p. 9.

August 1980
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi informs Parliament that completion of the two reactor units at Narora, originally scheduled for commissioning in 1981 or 1982, is at least three years behind schedule. Gandhi remarks that the delay is being caused by "design modifications and improvements not originally contemplated [and by] delay in manufacturing some critical nuclear equipment."
—Pearl Marshall "Two Reactors are Being Built at a Dangerous Site in India," Nucleonics Week, 30 October 1980, p. 4.

1 August 1980
Minister of External Affairs P.V. Narasimha Rao says in parliament that Pakistan's attempts to develop nuclear weapons will serve to increase tensions in South Asia.
—"Pakistan: Nuclear Research for Peaceful Purposes Only," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 5 August 1980, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 5 August 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

3 August 1980
In response to Indian foreign minister Rao's statement alleging that Pakistan is developing a nuclear weapons program, Pakistan's foreign office states that Pakistan's nuclear research program is solely for peaceful purposes; that Pakistan has no intentions of developing nuclear weapons. The spokesperson reiterates Pakistan's proposals regarding the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South Asia, expressing the hope that India will respond positively. Other Pakistani proposals are as follows: First, India agrees to the establishment of the nuclear weapon free zone in South Asia. Second, both India and Pakistan open their nuclear installations to international inspections or agree to mutual inspection of each other's facilities. Third, both countries sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Fourth, both countries renounce the manufacture or acquisition of nuclear weapons.
—"Pakistan: Nuclear Research for Peaceful Purposes Only," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 5 August 1980, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 5 August 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

4 August 1980
India once again rejects Pakistan's proposal to establish a nuclear-free zone in South Asia. An Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) says Pakistan first suggested the idea in 1974, "without prior consultations with India or any other country in the region...there's nothing new in the proposal made by Islamabad." The spokesperson reiterates that the nuclear-free zone should be a distinct geographical area, "but South Asia is only a sub-region of a wider region, making the Pakistani idea an unpractical suggestion."
—"India Rejects Nuclear-Free Zone in South Asia," Associated Press, 4 August 1980; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 4 August 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

7 August 1980
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi alleges in parliament that Pakistan intends building nuclear weapons, and some countries were willing to help it achieve that goal.
—International News, Associated Press, 7 August 1980, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 7 August 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

7 August 1980
Addressing a parliamentary consultative committee, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi says that surveys carried out by the atomic minerals division of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) have revealed uranium deposits in different parts of India. She says that aggregate installed capacity of five heavy water plants at Nangal, Baroda, Tuticorin, Talcher and Kota is approximately 315 tons per year. Addressing Rajya Sabha (upper house of parliament), Gandhi says the heavy water plant at Nangal is already operating while the plant at Talcher will begin producing heavy water in June 1981.
—"Uranium and Heavy Water," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 20 August 1980; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 20 August 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

18 August 1980
In an address to parliament, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi says her government is taking steps to ensure continuous operation of Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS) even if the United States stops fuel supplies. She says that investigations into mixed oxide fuel are under way; yet it is premature to discuss the results of those investigations.
—International News, Associated Press, 18 August 1980, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 18 August 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "India Sees No Problems in Fuel Supply Whether or Not US Cuts Off Exports," Nuclear Fuel, 1 September 1980, p. 9.

Fall 1980
Indian defense officials begin negotiations with the Soviet Union for technical assistance in the construction of a nuclear submarine.
—Raj Chengappa, "Do You Want Our Skulls Cracked," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi: HarperCollins Publishers India, 2000), p. 249.

September 1980
The head of the Department of International Relations at the Committee for the Utilization of Atomic Energy (CUAE) in Moscow Georghu Afonin says that relations with India on nuclear reactor sales are "very positive." When asked whether the Soviet Union will supply fuel for India's Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS), Afonin says that the USSR supplies fuel "only to those countries where atomic power stations have been constructed with Soviet assistance." India's Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman Homi Sethna is scheduled to visit in Moscow in October.
—"The USSR and India are Likely to Discuss Joint Marketing of Reactors," Nucleonics Week, 25 September 1980, p. 5.

September 1980
US congressional opponents of the enriched uranium export deal with India claim that India has probably stockpiled enough enriched uranium to continue running the Tarapur plant at least until February 1982. The assessment of the alleged Indian stockpile is made on the basis of data complied by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on the Tarapur plant's operating history. A senate source says India's decision to stockpile fuel in excess of its operational requirements contravenes the Indo-US agreement. Opponents of the deal also downplay the State Department's argument that continued shipments of enrichment uranium are necessary to avoid disrupting operations at the Hyderabad-based nuclear fuel fabrication facility, on grounds that since the facility did not exist when the fuel supply agreement was drawn up in 1963, it should not now be part of any consideration.
—"Indian Stockpile Disturbs Congressional Opponents of Tarapur Fuel Supply," Nucleonics Week, 18 September 1980, pp. 9-10.

11 September 1980
The Foreign Relations committees of both houses of the US Congress vote against the sale of enriched uranium for India's Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS). Responding to this development, the spokesperson of India's Ministry of External Affairs J.N. Dixit calls on the United States to fulfill its obligations under the 1963 agreement and immediately supply 38 tons of enriched uranium to India. However, in case the United States fails to live up to its obligations, India is "prepared to meet any eventuality," Dixit adds.
—"Calls on US to Fulfill Treaty Obligations," Associated Press, 11 September 1980; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 11 September 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "India Reacts Calmly to Setback in US on Atom Fuel," New York Times, 12 September 1980; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 12 September 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

19 September 1980
The US House of Representatives votes 298-98 against shipping enriched uranium to India.
—"India Welcomes US Nuke Fuel Vote," Associated Press, 25 September 1980, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

22 September 1980
India's ambassador-designate to the United States K.R. Narayanan says that US failure to fulfill its obligations under the 1963 agreement "will have an impact" as Indian people are likely question "why an agreement we have signed with a great country is not honored."
—"Says US Expected to Honor Uranium Agreement," Associated Press, 22 September 1980; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 22 September 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

24 September 1980
The US Senate votes 48-46 in favor of shipping enriched uranium to India's Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS). India applies for a license for a third shipment of 19.8 tons of low-enriched uranium in March 1981. A spokesperson of India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) says that India's position on the issue of full-scope safeguards was reiterated repeatedly and "there is no change in that stand." He adds that talks on disposal of the Tarapur spent fuel are in progress.
—"India Welcomes US Nuke Fuel Vote," Associated Press, 25 September 1980; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 25 September 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "India Seeks License for More Tarapur Exports and Repudiates White House on Safeguards," Nuclear Fuel, 29 September 1980, pp. 1-2; "Barrier to US Sale if Nuclear Fuel to India Removed," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 25 September 1980; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 25 September 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

October 1980
The Indian Navy remains divided over the question of nuclear submarine acquisitions from the Soviet Union. Opponents of the proposal argue that such acquisitions will increase India's dependence on the Soviet Union. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Pereira reportedly remarks to his deputy R. Tahliani that it is premature for the IN to go for nuclear submarines when it still hasn't mastered the technology to build conventional submersibles.
—Raj Chengappa, "Do You Want Our Skulls Cracked," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi: HarperCollins Publishers India, 2000), p. 249.

October 1980
The Principal physicist at Reactor Research Center (RRC) at Kalpakkam G. Venkataraman says that a design for a 250MW to 500MW fast breeder reactor is expected to be completed by 1986 or 1987. He remarks that the 40MW fast breeder test reactor (FBTR), which is in the final stages of development at the center, will serve as "a test-bed for carrying out various scientific and engineering experiments which will give [India] complete mastery of fast breeder technology." According to the officials from the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), "the civil works for the French-assisted FBTR have been completed and the power and control systems are nearing completion. Electrical work is 80 percent complete and piping work 20 percent complete. The fabrication of the rotating plugs of the reactor assembly is nearing completion. The steam turbine is in the advanced stage, components for the mechanical sodium pumps have been fabricated, and the assembly of the primary pump has been completed." The RRC has initiated an evaluation of dissociating gases as potential reactor coolants along with the work on the core design of a 500MW sodium-cooled fast breeder reactor.
—Pearl Marshall "Indians Detail Progress on Breeder Development," Nucleonics Week, 9 October 1980, p. 12.

October 1980
India's Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) recommends that India's fifth nuclear power plant be located at Kakrapar on the Tapti River, about 60 miles from Surat in the state of Gujarat. The location is still subject to final government approval. The station will include four 235MW reactors and is expected to add 940MW to India's current 1,800MW nuclear power capacity. At present, India has three commercial nuclear power reactors operating at a total capacity of 640MW, equivalent to 2.5 percent of India's total installed power capacity.
—"India's Fifth Nuclear Power Station is to Be Sited at Kakrapar," Nucleonics Week, 16 October 1980, p. 12.

October 1980
Unit 2 of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) goes critical. The unit was originally scheduled for commissioning in 1975.
—"India's Fifth Nuclear Power Station is to Be Sited at Kakrapar," Nucleonics Week, 16 October 1980, p. 12.

October 1980
Indian nuclear expert Dhirendra Sharma says that the twin 235MW nuclear power reactors at Narora are located in "a high seismic zone, only 50km from the active Moradabad earthquake fault." A nuclear accident could result in radioactive spillage into the Ganges river which passes through three of India's most populous states before flowing into the Bay of Bengal. Sharma remarks that Bhabha Atomic Research Center's (BARC) Environmental Group "refused to clear Narora because it is in an earthquake zone."
—Pearl Marshall "Two Reactors are Being Built at a Dangerous Site in India," Nucleonics Week, 30 October 1980, p. 4.

Late October 1980
The Indian Navy organizes a Commanders Conference at the port of Vishakhapatnam. The conference is attended by all three chiefs of staff of the armed services, the Vice Chief of Naval Staff Tahliani, and the flag officers commanding India's fleets. During conference proceedings, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Pereira opposes the proposal to build nuclear submarines. However, his deputies demur in favor of exploring the option.
—Raj Chengappa, "Do You Want Our Skulls Cracked," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi: HarperCollins Publishers India, 2000), pp. 249-250.

5 October 1980
The first consignment of the US-supplied enriched uranium arrives in India; it is immediately rushed to the nuclear fuel fabrication facility in Hyderabad to be converted into fuel bundles for the Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS). The second consignment is expected to arrive on October 8.
—"First Enriched Uranium from US Arrives," Associated Press, 7 October 1980; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 7 October 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

22 October 1980
India's fifth heavy water plant near Kota in Rajasthan is expected to begin operations by the end of 1981. The plant is expected to produce 100-tons of heavy water annually.
—"Heavy Water," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 22 October 1980; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 22 October 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com> .

29 October 1980
During his visit to Moscow, the Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Homi Sethna discusses the prospects of Indo-Soviet cooperation in the nuclear field.
—"USSR- Nuclear Cooperation," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 12 November 1980; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 29 October 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

November 1980
Chief Scientific Advisor to the Indian government Dr. Raja Ramanna leads a team to the Soviet Union to explore the prospects of acquiring a nuclear submarine. The Indian Navy (IN) is represented by the Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Command, Vice Admiral Mihir Kumar Roy. The Soviets offer India a Victor-class nuclear submarine for sale. However, the Indian team expresses an interest in acquiring Charlie-class submarines. In order to paper differences between the IN and the Indian atomic energy establishment, the team members decide that Dr. Raja Ramanna will file the sole trip report to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on their return to India.
—Raj Chengappa, "Do You Want Our Skulls Cracked," Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India's Quest to be a Nuclear Power (New Delhi: HarperCollins Publishers India, 2000), pp. 250-251.

November 1980
General Electric files an application with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a license to supply $2 million worth of replacement parts for India's Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS). The parts include "in-core detectors, control rod drive parts, shroud head bolts and a feed water sparger to replace cracked unit."
—"India's Tarapur Units are in Serious Despair," Nucleonics Week, 2 July 1981, p. 3.

20 November 1980
Addressing parliament, Minister of State for Science and Technology C.P.N. Singh says India will use mixed-oxide fuel if the United States delays further shipments of enriched uranium for Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS). Singh remarks that uncertainties with fuel supplies led to a reduction in power generation at TAPS. Singh also urges the United States to clear an "overdue shipment" of 19.8 tons of enriched uranium which India ordered in August 1979.
—International News, Associated Press, 20 November 1980; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 20 November 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

December 1980
The Chairman of India's Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Homi Sethna refutes statements that Narora nuclear power reactors are located in highly seismic zone. Sethna remarks that "Narora site is prone to seismic disturbances but it is so in the case of a large part of Indo-Gangetic Plain. If we were to avoid building nuclear power stations in this entire area, clearly this source of energy would not be available in this populous part of the country." He adds that the reactors have been designed with enormous care to meet safety requirements.
—"Defending the Siting of India's Twin 235MW Reactors at Narora," Nucleonics Week, 18 December 1980, p. 6.

December 1980
India indicates that it will begin reprocessing spent fuel from its nuclear power reactors at the 100 ton per year Tarapur reprocessing plant near Bombay. The plant has been idle since 1976 because of India's failure to reach a "joint determination" with the United States on how to proceed with the disposal of the spent fuel from the Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS). However, it is not clear whether India will reprocess fuel from the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) or the TAPS facility. An Indian nuclear industry source indicates that India has made "subsidiary arrangements" with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which have made reprocessing possible; India need not go through the United States on a "case-by-case" basis. However, US government sources believe that India cannot reprocess spent fuel from the Tarapur facility without US consent.
—"India Claims Unilateral Right to Preprocess US-Origin Fuel," Nucleonics Week, 18 December 1980, pp. 1-2.

4 December 1980
In an address to parliament, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi says the nuclear fuel complex at Hyderabad is in the process of expansion from its current capacity of 100 tons of finished fuel a year to 210 tons a year at a cost of 130 million rupees. Gandhi also remarks that under the 1963 agreement, the United States is obliged to supply enriched uranium for the Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS) as India is precluded from using fuel from any other source at TAPS.
—"Production and Transport, Nuclear Energy," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 17 December 1980, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 17 December 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

11 December 1980
India and the Soviet Union issue a joint declaration, stating that both countries are "firmly convinced that the task of highest priority facing the world today is the cessation of the arms race, above all in nuclear weapons... [and] call for early measures for the complete and general prohibition of nuclear weapon tests..."
—International News, Associated Press, 11 December 1980; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 11 December 1980, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

18 December 1980
Unit 1 of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS-1) is shut down after a fuse blowout in the "unit's isolation damper circuit went unattended...leading to a buildup of pressure in the reactor building," which in turn triggered the "emergency core cooling system, dumping hundreds of thousands of gallons of water in the reactor."
—"Indian Officials Remain Very Close-Mouthed about an Incident at RAPP-1," Nucleonics Week, 26 February 1980, p. 3.

1980-1981
The Joint Planning Committee (JPC) comprising heads of operations directorates in the three armed services produce a paper outlining the Indian military's demand for nuclear weapons. The paper is sent by the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) to the defense ministry. However, the paper is apparently not forwarded to the government.
—Bharat Karnad, "Hesitant Nuclear Realpolitik: 1966-To Date," Nuclear Weapons and Indian Security: The Realist Foundations of Strategy (New Delhi: Macmillan, 2002), p. 350.