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.
January 1981
Dr. Raja Ramanna, who played a key role in India's May 1974 nuclear test, is appointed Director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) in addition to being the Secretary to the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). Ramanna states that his key goals are to revive India's nuclear power program, complete the Dhruva or R-5 research reactor, and push for the completion of the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) at Kalpakkam. In private, Ramanna also pushes for greater cooperation between BARC and the Defense Research and Development Organization in the design of a lighter, smaller, and more efficient nuclear explosive.
—George Perkovich, "More Robust Nuclear Policy Is Considered," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, Los Angeles, and London: University of California Press, 1999), p. 228.
January 1981
Chief Scientific Advisor to the Indian government, Dr. Raja Ramanna, briefs Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on India's nuclear weapons program. Ramanna informs the prime minister that the nuclear weapons team at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) has built a compact version of the device tested in 1974 and has also designed a more advanced boosted fission device. He then requests permission for field tests to validate the new designs and couches his case as a response to advances in Pakistan's nuclear weapons program. The prime minister responds cautiously and authorizes work on two new test shafts at India's nuclear test site in the Rajasthan desert.
—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. 246-247.
28 January 1981
Unit 1 of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) resumes operations after a shut down in December 1980. A Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) spokesperson says an investigation into the incident at RAPS is under way. The Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Homi Sethna says the incident demonstrated that the safety system was operational.
—"Indian Officials Remain Very Close-Mouthed about an Incident at RAPP-1," Nucleonics Week, 26 February 1980, p. 3.
February 1981
A spokesperson for India's Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) says that Indian and Soviet nuclear experts will meet in Mumbai in late February or early March 1981 to discuss the issues of radioactive waste disposal.
—"Soviet and Indian Nuclear Experts Will Meet in Bombay," Nucleonics Week, 5 February 1981, p. 9
February 1981
The Indian Army's 113 Engineer Regiment begins excavation work for the two new nuclear test sites in the Rajasthan desert.
—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. 247.
February 1981
According to the Chairman of India's Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Homi Sethna, two more uranium mines are expected to operate at Turamdih and Bhatin by 1985. Both mines will be located near India's only commercial mine and mill at Jaduguda, Bihar. Jaduguda currently processes 1,000 tons of ore per day and is expected to operate at this capacity for another 50 years. According to Sethna, the feasibility study for Bodel site in Madhya Pradesh is under way. Ninety tons of ore have been mined at Bodel to date.
—"India Plan to Have Two More Uranium Mines Operating by 1985," Nuclear Fuel, 16 February 1981, p. 4.
February 1981
Addressing Western reporters, director of the nuclear safety group at Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) Vinay Meckoni says India will have to start reprocessing of Tarapur spent fuel either this year or in 1982 due to storage problems. However, he remarks that India will postpone reprocessing as long as possible, especially if the United States continues to supply enriched uranium to India. He says that any Tarapur plutonium recycled as mixed-oxide fuel will be placed under safeguards. BARC director Raja Ramanna promotes the mixed-oxide route as a way to self-reliance in nuclear fuel. However, Ramanna remarks that large-scale use of light water reactors (LWRs) using mixed-oxide fuel is not likely in India's case because it would be expensive to switch from Candu-type reactors to LWRs.
—"India's Sethna and Gonsalves Seek 'Polite' End to US Nuclear Pact," Nuclear Fuel, 13 April 1981, p. 9.
March 1981
A US government official says that the Reagan administration will abide by the Carter administration's pledge not to authorize the second shipment of enriched uranium to India until there is an actual need for fuel at the Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS) and only after the Congress is consulted on the matter. The official remarks that "further fuel shipments cannot be made" since India refused to accept full-scope safeguards.
—"HGTR, Fusion Proponents Will Fight Reagan Cuts in Congress," Nucleonics Week, 19 March 1981, pp. 3-4.
March 1981
Indian Minister of State for Science and Technology C.P.N. Singh tells parliament the government is planning to begin construction of six more 235MW nuclear reactors during the Sixth Plan (1980-1985). Singh does not specify the proposed location or financing for these reactors. India currently has four commercial power reactors with a total generating capacity of 860MW, which makes up for about 2.5 percent of the country's total installed power capacity.
—"The Indian Government Proposes to Start Work on Six More Nuclear Units," Nucleonics Week, 26 Macrh 1981, pp. 5-6.
March 1981
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reports that Indian scientists have discovered the 0.5 percent vanadium in the ocean sediments of the west coast. Vanadium is used in steel and non-ferrous alloys and has applications in India's nuclear and space projects.
—"Science and Technology: Geology," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 8 April 1981, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 8 April 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
21 March 1981
Unit 1 of the Rajasthan atomic power station (RAPS) is shut down because of a problem that "required urgent attention." However, the unit is expected to be back in operation within 10 days. Indian Minister of State for Science and Technology C.P.N. Singh admits in parliament that RAPS-1 suffered 19 outages in 1980; the problems were the consequence of equipment failure, grid problems, and human error. Singh also discloses that Unit 2 of RAPS is being test-run and is yet to begin full-scale commercial operations. The availability and capacity factors achieved for RAPS-1 during 1980 were 72.4 percent and 54.5 percent respectively. The corresponding figures for Unit 1 of the Tarapur station were 67.8 percent and 48.5 percent; and 78.4 percent and 48.4 percent for the second unit of the station.
—"Indian Officials Remain Very Close-Mouthed about an Incident at RAPP-1," Nucleonics Week, 26 February 1980, p. 3.
25 March 1981
Addressing parliament, India's Minister of State for Science and Technology C.P.N. Singh says that India will carry out a nuclear test "if it feels the need for such an experiment." He adds that the government plans to set up an atomic energy regulatory board to monitor the safety of India's nuclear installations. He says that currently the Nuclear Safety Review Committee monitors the safety of India's nuclear plants. The committee reports to the principal secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). The Health Physics Division of the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) monitors "day-to-day radiological and industrial safety." According to Singh, "special committees of safety experts constituted by the department evaluate siting, design, commissioning and operation of facilities before they are authorized to go into operation."
—"India Will Proceed with a Peaceful Nuclear Explosion if Ever It Feels," Nucleonics Week, 2 April 1981, p. 7.
30 March 1981
India's Minister of State for Science and Technology C.P.N. Singh informs parliament that uranium occurrences have been discovered in Rajnadgaon district. He adds that "detailed geological investigations, including core drilling have begun at Bodel and Bhandaritola, where exploratory drilling indicated continuous mineralization over a strike length of 314 meters." The budget for India's Uranium Corporation for 1981-82 is estimated at over $2 million.
—"Correction: India's Jaduguda Mine and Mill Produces," Nucleonics Week, 30 March 1981, pp. 12-13.
April 1981
The spokesperson of India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) J.N. Dixit says that India "holds exclusive title to the spent fuel produced at Tarapur. [Yet India is] still seeking joint determination [with the United States] because of its interest in maintaining good relations with [the latter]."
—"India's Sethna and Gonsalves Seek 'Polite' End to US Nuclear Pact," Nuclear Fuel, 13 April 1981, p. 9.
April 1981
In a United Services Institute (USI) symposium in New Delhi, the Indian Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral M.R. Schunker, citing the 1971 USS Enterprise episode, obliquely makes the case for an Indian nuclear force to deter potential superpower nuclear threats in the Indian Ocean region.
—Bharat Karnad, "Hesitant Nuclear Realpolitik: 1966-To Date," Nuclear Weapons and Indian Security: The Realist Foundations of Strategy (New Delhi: Macmillan, 2002), p. 359.
9 April 1981
In an address to parliament, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi says she suspects Pakistan is planning to develop nuclear device and underscores that India "will be forced to revise [its] nuclear program and will be compelled to develop [its] own nuclear weapons." She adds that her government will "respond in an appropriate way to any development."
—S.G. Roy, "India Hints at Nuclear Race with Pakistan," United Press International, 9 April 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 9 April 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; S.G. Roy "India Warns Pakistan against Making Nuclear Bomb," United Press International, 10 April 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 10 April 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
14 April 1981
Indian foreign ministry spokesperson J.N. Dixit says that Indian officials (Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Homi Sethna and foreign secretary Eric Gonsalves), during their upcoming visit to Washington, DC, will bring up for discussion all the provisions of the 1963 Indo-US nuclear cooperation agreement to ascertain US intentions. Dixit states, "it has been repeatedly stated in parliament that the government of India would like the Indo-US nuclear cooperation under the 1963 agreement to continue. At the same time, the government cannot accept any extraneous conditions on the fulfillment of the obligations undertaken by the US under the Tarapur agreement." When questioned about the Indian Department of Atomic Energy's (DAE) assertion that India does not need permission from the United States to reprocess the Tarapur spent fuel, "because the fuel belongs to us," Dixit emphasizes that India "...holds exclusive title to the spent fuel produced at Tarapur." However, Dixit adds that India is seeking to reach a "joint determination" on the spent fuel with the United States because it values good relations with Washington. However, the "joint determination" is not necessary from a legal point of view.
—Pear Marshall, "India's Sethna and Gonsalves Seek 'Polite' End to US Nuclear Pact," Nucleonics Week, 13 April 1981, p. 9.
15 April 1981
In a written reply to Parliament, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi says that the Uranium Corporation is considering proposals to open three more uranium mines and two more mills in Bihar in addition to expanding the Jaduguda mine and mill. She says her government has already approved the Bhatin mining project at a cost of $3 million. The project should be ready by the end of 1984-85. According to the Minister of State for Science and technology C.P.N. Singh, the Uranium Corporation has also prepared feasibility reports for opening mines at Turamdih and Narwapahar. Singh says the Uranium Corporation has submitted a feasibility report for recovering uranium from copper tailings at the Hindustan Copper Ltd.'s plants at Rakha and Mosabani, Bihar. According to Singh, India's reserves of U3O8 total 67,343 tons. Singh remarks that surveys in Madhya Pradesh discovered uranium occurrences with grades of 0.04 to 0.1 percent of U3O8. According to Singh, "detailed geological investigations, including drilling and/or underground development, have been taken up in promising areas to establish commercial viability." Singh adds that India also has 350,000 tons of thorium in terms of thorium oxide.
—"India's Parliament Told of Plans for Uranium Mine/Mill Expansion," Nuclear Fuel, 27 April 1981, p. 13.
15 April 1981
The secretary of India's Ministry of External Affairs Eric Gonsalves and the chairman of India's Atomic Energy Commission Homi Sethna meet with US Secretary of State Alexander Haig in Washington, DC to discuss the 30-year-old Indo-US Tarapur agreement.
—Washington News, United Press International, 14 April 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 14 April 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "India's Sethna and Gonsalves Seek 'Polite' End to US Nuclear Pact," Nuclear Fuel, 13 April 1981, p. 9.
April 1981
Indian foreign secretary Eric Gonsalves privately assures US Assistant Secretary of State James Malone that India will not conduct a peaceful nuclear explosion (PNE) in the "current time frame." However, Gonsalves does not rule out nuclear tests in the long-term.
—George Perkovich, "More Robust Nuclear Policy Is Considered," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, Los Angeles, and London: University of California Press, 1999), p. 229.
16 April 1981
India's Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) states in its annual report that it is conducting tests to recover plutonium from the spent fuel at the 100-ton Tarapur reprocessing plant. According to the report, Tarapur has successfully completed two test runs. The reprocessing will begin upon completion of the third trial now in progress. Each reprocessing campaign takes about two to four months. In a comment on the US delay in supplying fuel for the Tarapur station, the report complains about the fuel situation at Tarapur. It states, the fuel situation at Tarapur remains difficult and power levels have been reduced to conserve fuel. "An overdue consignment of 19.8 tons of uranium applied for in August 1979 and scheduled for delivery between February and September 1980 has not yet been received," says the report. "Another application for 19.8 tons was made in September 1980 for delivery between March and September 1981. The US has been informed by the government that continuing delays and uncertainties in supply of Tarapur fuel cannot be accepted. The government has also explained that it will not accept any conditions outside the framework of the existing cooperation agreement of 1963." The DAE report points out that in 1980 India successfully negotiated subsidiary safeguards arrangements for reprocessing spent fuel with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Among other activities, the report states that structural designs and estimates for a second commercial reprocessing plant at Kalpakkam have been prepared. It further notes that 80 percent of construction work for the fast breeder test reactor (FBTR) at Kalpakkam has been completed. The reactor vessel has been fabricated, the electrical systems have been commissioned, and the air-conditioning and ventilation systems are almost ready. Two sodium pumps have been fabricated indigenously. The reactor research center is also working on the preliminary design for a 500MW sodium-cooled fast breeder reactor."
—"Indian Report Cites Progress In Reprocessing And Heavy Water Production," Nucleonics Week, 23 April 1981, p. 6.
22 April 1981
Addressing parliament, India's Minister of State for Science and Technology C.P.N. Singh says that India has the wherewithal to reprocess the Tarapur spent fuel.
—S.G. Roy, "India Ready to Reprocess Nuclear Fuel," United Press International, 22 April 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
23 April 1981
The Reagan administration informs the Indian government that it has decided to end the 18-year-old Indo-US nuclear cooperation agreement on Tarapur. The decision is communicated through a "nonpaper" that was handed over to the Indian foreign secretary Eric Gonsalves and the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Homi Sethna during their 15 April visit to Washington, DC. However, a US State Department official denies that an official decision has been made.
—Don Oberdorfer, "US Is Ending 18-Year Nuclear Pact With India," Washington Post, 23 April 1981, p. A19; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 23 April 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Judith Miller, "India Says Atom Safeguards Will End If US Halts Fuel," New York Times, 24 April 1981, p. 3; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 24 April 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
24 April 1981
US intelligence reports indicate renewed activity at India's Pokhran nuclear test site in the Rajasthan desert.
—Judith Miller, "India Says Atom Safeguards Will End If US Halts Fuel," New York Times, 24 April 1981, p. 3; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 24 April 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
27 April 1981
Indian experts testify before a parliamentary committee that Pakistan may test a nuclear device sometime between July and September of 1982. The experts suggest three possible nuclear test sites in Pakistan: the first in the Rann of Kutch bordering the Indian state of Gujarat; the second, in the Rajasthan desert bordering India; and the third in Balochistan bordering Iran.
—"Gandhi Warns South Asia Region 'Drifting toward War," United Press International, 28 April 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
30 April 1981
India's foreign minister Narasimha Rao informs parliament that the United States has suggested that both countries terminate the 1963 agreement on supply of nuclear fuel for the Tarapur station. Rao admits that in light of the US suggestion, "...nothing can save this agreement."
—"New Delhi Aide Doubts Survival of Nuclear Agreement with US," New York Times, 30 April 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 30 April 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
4 May 1981
India reportedly plans to commission six Narora-type 230MW pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWR) during its sixth plan period. The reactors are expected to cost 10 billion rupees. The longer-term, two decade plan includes an additional ten 230MW reactors, to be followed by 12 reactors of 500MW each. By the year 2000, India's Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) plans to generate 10,000MW using nuclear power.
—"Production and Transport: Nuclear Power Program," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 3 June 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 3 June 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
5 May 1981
Allegations of Indian nuclear test preparations are indirectly confirmed by Indian Express.
—George Perkovich, "More Robust Nuclear Policy Is Considered," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, Los Angeles, and London: University of California Press, 1999), p. 228.
June 1981
The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducts a feasibility study on attacking and neutralizing Pakistan's uranium enrichment facility at Kahuta. Photographic evidence available to the IAF suggests that the Kahuta facility is guarded by French Crotale air-defense missiles and balloon barrages. The IAF concludes that it could probably destroy the Kahuta facility using its newly acquired Jaguar ground-attack aircraft; but that 50 percent of the aircraft would be lost to Pakistani defenses. Furthermore, an Indian attack could trigger an all-out war between India and Pakistan; or that Pakistan might retaliate by attacking India's nuclear facilities at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) at Trombay. An Indian Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) official later discloses, "If we blew up Kahuta, uranium might be dispersed in Pakistan, but uranium is not nearly as toxic as plutonium, and our plants, which Pakistan would have counterattacked, have plutonium and are located closer to larger populations." Another senior Indian official explains India's hesitation in carrying out a pre-emptive attack on Kahuta saying, "We knew we would have to live with Pakistan's nuclear capability, and there was no way around it."
—George Perkovich, "More Robust Nuclear Policy Is Considered," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, Los Angeles, and London: University of California Press, 1999), pp. 240-241.
2 June 1981
Addressing a news conference, former Prime Minister Morarji Desai says the 1974 test was not a nuclear explosion but a powerful conventional one, "something like dynamite, but more powerful." Desai says that his assertion is not based not on the documents he saw when he was prime minister but "on the lack of fallout" after the explosion. A spokesperson of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) dismisses the argument as "the funniest thing heard so far."
—"Desai Says He Has Some Doubts about Indian Nuclear Tests in 1974," New York Times, 3 June 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 3 June 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
6 June 1981
The Chairman of India's Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Homi Sethna says India's nuclear program will "receive a big boost" after several fast breeder reactors (FBR) are commissioned by the end of the century. According to Sethna, the prototype 50MW fast breeder test reactor at Kalpakkam is "nearing completion."
—"Production and Transport: Nuclear Energy," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 17 June 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 17 June 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
1 July 1981
A US embassy official in New Delhi says that US Assistant Secretary of State James Malone will confer with Indian officials on 14-15 July to discuss the supply of uranium fuel for the Tarapur nuclear power station.
—"US-India Talks Scheduled," New York Times, 1 July 1981, p. 9; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 July 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
2 July 1981
A US government source says that the Tarapur nuclear power station in a serious state of disrepair. India has sought $2 million worth of spares and replacement parts (in-core detectors, control rod drive parts, shroud head bolts and a feed water sparger to replace a cracked unit) for the plant. The US vendor, General Electric, filed an export application for these parts with the US government in November 1981. However, the application is still under review. In view of the delay, India has begun looking elsewhere for the parts.
—"India's Tarapur Units Are In Serious Disrepair...," Nucleonics Week, 2 July 1981, p. 3.
10 July 1981
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi says she does not know "how it will help if [India] also [has] nuclear weapons." She remarks that India's nuclear program serves the purposes of power generation, agriculture, medicine, and "certain other such things."
—"Declaring that 'We Do not Believe in the Deterrent Theory," Nucleonics Week, 16 July 1981, p. 8.
11 July 1981
The Indian government plans to commence construction of two 235MW nuclear reactors at Kakrapar, Gujarat. Kakrapar will be India's fifth nuclear power station; it will eventually have four 235MW nuclear reactors.
—"Industrial Production: Nuclear Energy," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 22 July 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 22 July 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
20 July 1981
The Chairman of India's Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Dr. Raja Ramanna signs a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on technical assistance for India's nuclear submarine project with the Soviet Union. Under the terms of the agreement, the Soviet Union reportedly agrees to help India build the submarine. In order to circumvent the issue of international safeguards on any reactors supplied by the Soviet Union, India's atomic energy establishment proposes to build the reactors in India using indigenous fuel supplies.
—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. 251.
29 July 1981
An Indian government official says that the United States has proposed to continue to supply enriched uranium for the Tarapur plant, but after India meets three tough preconditions. First, that India will not explode a second nuclear device, even for peaceful purposes; second, India will not use more than 250 tons of spent fuel from previous US shipments to produce plutonium; and third, India will not seek enriched uranium from other countries.
—S.G. Roy, United Press International, 29 July 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 29 July 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
30 July 1981
US Assistant Secretary of State James Malone denies that the United States has set preconditions for the supply of additional uranium to India. Malone says, "we've made no suggestions through diplomatic channels of that nature...everything [is] on the public record." An unidentified Indian official says that India would like the United States to fulfill its obligations under the 1963 agreement. On the issue of the reported US preconditions, the official says that India would need more time to study US demands, and that further negotiations would be needed.
—United Press International, 30 July 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 30 July 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
30 July 1981
US Assistant Secretary of State James Malone meets the Chairman of India's Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Homi Sethna and other Indian officials in New Delhi. According to the spokesperson of India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) J.N. Dixit, the two sides discussed the US position that India should not explode any more nuclear devices and should not reprocess the 250 tons of US-supplied spent fuel into weapons-grade plutonium.
—"US and India Hold Talks on Uranium Shipments," United Press International, 30 July 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 30 July 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
31 July 1981
Indian and US officials agree to hold one more round of talks on the Indo-US nuclear cooperation agreement in Washington, DC. The spokesperson for India's foreign ministry hints that both countries are discussing ways to amicably dissolve the 18-year old nuclear cooperation agreement.
—"US and India Plan More Atom Talks," New York Times, 1 August 1981, p. 2; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 August 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
20 August 1981
Minister of State for Science and Technology C.P.N. Singh says that orders for the purchase of materials and equipment for the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS), Gujarat, have been placed. According to Singh, construction of the main plant building will begin in 1982 and units one and two should be completed by 1990 and 1991 respectively. The Kakrapar station will use indigenous uranium as fuel.
—"Industrial Production: Nuclear Energy," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 2 September 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 20 August 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
20 August 1981
In an address to parliament, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi says that "development work on indigenous mixed oxide fuel for the Tarapur plant has been carried out and found feasible."
—S.G. Roy, United Press International, 20 August 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
26 August 1981
New Delhi home service reports that two units at the Tarapur atomic power station and two 220MW units at the Rajasthan atomic power station are currently in commercial operation. According to the report, India's current power generation from nuclear power stations constitutes 3,000 million kWh.
—"Industrial Production: Nuclear Energy," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 9 September 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
28 August 1981
Minister of External Affairs Narasimha Rao submits a report to parliament stating the Indian government has taken steps to ensure continued operation of the Tarapur nuclear power plant. The report also states that "it has been made clear to the United States that all obligations flowing from the 1963 agreement would cease to be binding on either side if the contractual supply relationship is terminated." Rao adds that during the last round of talks in July, the United States "once again indicated...that they are not in a position to continue the nuclear supply relationship."
—United Press International, 28 August 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 28 August 1991, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
31 August 1981
Indian journalist Yogi Aggarwal reports in Sunday Observer that "from the 1980 onwards, work on the development of components needed for another nuclear device was once again stepped up at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC). In March and April 1981, a team of nuclear scientists at BARC prepared 12kg of plutonium to be machined into an explosive core. Furthermore, spent fuel from the CIRUS research reactor has been reprocessed at the unsafeguarded Tarapur nuclear reprocessing facility. Aggarwal states that although the recovered plutonium would likely be used in fuel for the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR), it could just as easily be diverted for weapons purposes.
—Cited in, George Perkovich, "More Robust Nuclear Policy Is Considered," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, Los Angeles, and London: University of California Press, 1999), pp. 228-229.
September 1981
In an address to parliament, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi says that the sixth plan (1980-1985) budget outlay for nuclear power generation and isotope production is $1.2 billion. She says the government plans to add 690MW of installed nuclear capacity during this period. The government is also planning to begin construction of six 235MW nuclear reactors. Prime Minister Gandhi notes that the work on two reactors at Kakrapar has already begun; two Kakrapar units are expected to be completed by 1990-91. According to Gandhi, the government has set up a site selection committee to recommend the locations for four other reactors. Gandhi adds that the Safety Review Committee was reconstituted and "given the task of carrying out the regulatory and safety functions envisaged under Atomic Energy Act of 1962." Addressing the issue of heavy water leakage in unit one of the Rajasthan atomic power station (RAPS-1), the Minister of State for Science and Technology C.P.N. Singh says that eight tons out of an inventory of 210 tons "escaped from the reactor system in early August into a shielded vault in the reactor building." He remarks that most of the heavy water has been recovered, purified, and placed back into the system. According to Singh, RAPS-1 had nine outages in 1978, 14 in 1979, and 19 in 1980 "due to equipment malfunction, grid problems, and human error. However, a continuous and ongoing review of the operational problems is under way and appropriate measures are being carried out to improve performance." Singh remarks that RAPS-2, commissioned in early 1981, had 11 outages to date and is operating at 36.64 percent capacity.
—"India's Sixth Plan (1980-1985) Outlay for Nuclear Power Generation," Nucleonics Week, 10 September 1981, p. 6.
September 1981
India files another export application in the United States through its agent Edlow International for the sale of 19,858kg of enriched uranium. India's position is that it is entitled to purchase nuclear fuel for the Tarapur plant under the provisions of the 1963 agreement with the United States, until that agreement is terminated.
—"The Indians are Back with Another Application," Nuclear Fuel, 28 September 1981, p. 8.
3 September 1981
Addressing the Parliament, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi says that "if the United States stops the supply of enriched uranium, India's nuclear fuel complex will shut down, but the closure will not affect operation of the Tarapur plant... The Tarapur plant will be kept working with alternative means." An Indian nuclear scientist remarks that the prime minister's statement indicates that India is "confident" to operate Tarapur using mixed oxide fuel.
—S.G. Roy, United Press International, 3 September 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 3 September 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
9 September 1981
Addressing Lok Sabha, the Minister of State for Science and Technology C.P.N. Singh says that India will become self-sufficient in heavy water production for nuclear power plants after the Kota and Talcher plants become operational in March 1982. He adds that more heavy water plants will be constructed in the future to meet the growing demand.
—"Industrial Production, Nuclear Energy," New Delhi Home Service, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 9 September 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 23 September 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
Late September 1981
In an interview to Age magazine (Australia), Prime Minister Indira Gandhi says that India will carry out nuclear tests if necessary "for science or development," but it will not produce a nuclear bomb. Gandhi says that India's transition from peaceful to military uses of nuclear energy will depend on "the real danger" to India's national security interests. She downplays suggestions that India's nuclear policy is related to Pakistan's nuclear developments.
—"Indira Gandhi on Indian Nuclear Tests," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 21 September 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 21 September 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
October 1981
The scientists of the Atomic Minerals Division (AMD) of India's Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) discover "significant" uranium reserves in the Darba area of the Bastar district of Madhya Pradesh. They also establish uranium source in the Bondal area of Rajnandagon district of Madhya Pradesh. The Mining Journal reports that "the reserve which spreads over about 1,250m of strike and persists to a vertical depth of 250m" is estimated at 1,956 tons of uranium at 0.067 percent grade. Indian scientists have also discovered uranium mineralization in three zones near Brijranigad and Sileth in the Tehri district of Uttar Pradesh.
—"Indian Zn and U Fund," Mining Journal, October 1981, p. 261; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, October 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
15 October 1981
The state-owned Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) develops a sophisticated computer system indigenously. The highly sophisticated computer, ECIL-332, will help monitoring and controlling nuclear plant operations." The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has already received the first ECIL-332 and will use it as a "nuclear power plant simulator for training plant operators. The computer will also monitor and control fast breeder test reactor at Kalpakkam."
—"Science and Technology, Computer Development," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 28 October 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 28 October 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
22 October 1981
The US Senate rules that the United States will stop providing aid to Pakistan or India if either country detonates a nuclear device.
—"US Threat on A-Bomb Derided in India," New York Times, 23 October 1981, p. 5; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 23 October 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
November 1981
Unit 1 of the Rajasthan atomic power station is shut down again due to a light water leakage in one of the end shields of the reactor. According to the chairman of India's Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Homi Sethna, there is no "grave danger" or "radiation hazard." Sethna says that Unit 1 was taken out of service on 20 September for a week's maintenance service; during the maintenance process, "it was observed that there was a leak of light water from one of the end shields. Since the leak was suspected in an area of the end shield that is normally not accessible, various specialized detection methods have to be used to pinpoint the exact position. Although the size of the leak is small, it is proposed to close this leak prior to restarting the unit. The necessary laboratory and development activities to close the leak in situ have been worked out." The discovery of the leak has led the maintenance schedule of RAPP-1, which was earlier scheduled for December, to be brought forward; the reactor is now expected to resume operations in December. Sethna also clarifies that contrary to press reports that RAPP-2 was not operating, the reactor is indeed operating at 120MW instead of its rated power level of 200MW because two heat exchangers need replacement. He underscores that Unit 2 will not be shut down until Unit 1 resumes operation.
—Pearl Marshall, "India's RAPP-1 220MW CANDU-type Reactor is Out Again This Month," Nucleonics Week, 5 November 1981, p. 8.
November 1981
Nucleonics Week reports that unit-1 of the Madras atomic power station (MAPS) is undergoing light-water commissioning and will be ready to receive heavy water by 1982; Unit 2 is expected to be commissioned in 1984. However, the Narora reactors, with their doubled capacity steam generators will not be ready for commissioning until 1986-87. The Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS) is several years behind the schedule, because of the Department of Atomic Energy's (DAE) decision in 1977-78 to add cooling towers and the more recent emphasis on safety. Furthermore, the project has suffered from other delays related to equipment production and shortage of building materials such as cement and steel. However, the DAE proposes to use the Narora units as the standard design for at least ten more nuclear reactors, six of which are slated for construction during the sixth plan period.
—Pearl Marshall, "India's RAPP-1 220MW CANDU-type Reactor is Out Again This Month," Nucleonics Week, 5 November 1981, p. 9.
December 1981
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Pereira writes to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi objecting to the nuclear submarine deal. Pereira argues that the Soviet offer will make India dependent on the Soviet Union and prevent the Indian Navy from consummating the deal to purchase HDW diesel-electric boats from West Germany. However, the prime minister rebuts the naval chief's case arguing that monies for the HDW contract have already been sanctioned and would not be affected by the nuclear submarine deal.
—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. 253.
2 December 1981
Addressing Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament), India's Minister of State for Science and Technology C.P.N. Singh says that the Tarapur atomic power station will not be shut down if the United States stops providing enriched uranium. He says alternative fuel has been developed to keep the plant in operation. Singh adds that India cannot receive enriched uranium from any other source until the [1963 nuclear cooperation] treaty with the United States is terminated.
—"Industrial Production: Alternative Fuel for Tarapur Developed," New Delhi Home Service, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 2 December 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 9 December 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
9 December 1981
Speaking at Indo-French technology symposium in New Delhi, French Minister for Research and Technology Jean-Pierre Chevenement says that Indo-French cooperation in the nuclear field has slowed down recently. He adds that France is "ready to help India in any area of nuclear energy research and development." He remarks that India has made substantial progress in the field.
—"India, France to Strengthen Cooperation in Scientific Research," Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 9 December 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 9 December 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
10 December 1981
Addressing Rajya Sabha (upper house of parliament), Prime Minister Indira Gandhi announces a "three-point program to increase the availability of uranium through intensified exploration and strengthening analytical facilities." India also plans to build a spent-fuel reprocessing plant at Kalpakkam; one plant has already been built at Tarapur.
—"Production and Transport: Nuclear Fuel," New Delhi Home Service, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 10 December 1981; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 23 December 1981, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
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Updated October 2003 |
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