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.

10 January 1985
Following the example of India's prime ministers, Rajiv Gandhi retains the portfolios of atomic energy, high technology, and related industry.
—"Briefly: India," Nucleonics Week, 10 January 1985, p. 13.

18 January 1985
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi informs parliament that the 15 persons arrested for allegedly spying on India's nuclear program belonged to late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's personal secretariat. Indira Gandhi held the nuclear program portfolio at the time. Among the arrested are P.C. Alexander, one of the six members of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and formerly principal secretary to Ms. Gandhi. The spy ring was apparently created in 1982 at the behest of the French military attaché.
—"Briefly: India," Nucleonics Week, 7 February 1985, p. 11.

24 January 1985
According to Dr. Raja Ramanna, chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), trial commissioning of India's fast breeder test reactor (FBTR) at Kalpakkam is proceeding well. Sources say full commissioning should take place in April 1985. India's FBTR is the world's first reactor to use mixed carbide fuel, "a combination of plutonium carbide and uranium carbide," reports Nucleonics Week. Ramanna says the experience gained from the FBTR has helped in the development of India's prototype fast breeder reactor, which is scheduled to be commissioned in 1990.
—C. Veeraraghavan, "Trial Commissioning of India's Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR)...," Nucleonics Week, 24 January 1985, p. 14.

28 January 1985
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the prime ministers of Argentina, Greece, Mexico, Sweden, and Tanzania adopt a declaration calling on countries with nuclear weapons (United States, Soviet Union, Britain, France, and China) to sign a comprehensive treaty that will "halt production, testing and deployment of atomic arms and militarilization of outer space." Furthermore, Gandhi insists India does not posses and will not pursue nuclear weapons. He states, "We have had it (nuclear capability) for almost 11 years now but we have not transformed that capability into weapons. We are committed not to make a nuclear bomb and we're not going to do it."
—Victoria Graham, "Six-nation Conference on Disarmament," Associated Press, 28 January 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 28 January 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Prime Minster Rajiv Gandhi Announced Today," United Press International, 29 January 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 29 January 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

2 February 1985
The first unit of the Rajasthan atomic power station (RAPS) is recommissioned and is re-synchronized with the national power grid after three years off line. Initially it will only be able to produce 50MW of electricity. The 220MW pressurized heavy water unit was originally shut down on 4 March 1982 because of chronic leakage problems in its end shields. The RAPS-1 nuclear power station originally began operation in 1973.
—"Energy; Nuclear Power Station Unit Recommissioned," BBC, 13 February 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 13 February 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "Briefly: India," Nucleonics Week, 7 February 1985, p. 11.

7 February 1985
Minister of State for Atomic Energy Shivraj Patil reports to parliament that the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) has approved a 15-year, $14 billion program to increase India's nuclear power generating capacity to 10,000MW. The AEC intends to build twelve 235MW pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) and ten 500MW PHWRs, with nine of the 235MW units to be commissioned between 1990 and 1995. The source of the remaining 2,180MW is not disclosed.
—"Briefly: India," Nucleonics Week, 7 February 1985, p. 11.

28 February 1985
India's Tarapur-1 nuclear power plant remains shut down for annual refueling and general maintenance work that began on 9 December 1984. Unit 1 of the Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS-1) has also been shut down since 7 December 1984 for maintenance work, and is expected back on-line in mid-February.
—"Reactor Notes Pertaining to the Generating Table for January: India," Nucleonics Week, 28 February 1985, p. 16.

4 March 1985
Dr. Raja Ramanna, chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), verifies that the nuclear waste facility at Tarapur has processed India's first 40-liter radioactive glass block. Furthermore, the bituminization unit became operational at the end of 1984, and the polymerization unit has been functioning for over a year-and-a-half.
—Kim Gordon-Bates, "India Set to Commission World's First Plant to use Mixed Carbide Fuel," Nucleonics Week, 14 March 1985, pp. 1-2.

6 March 1985
Unit 1 of the Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS-1) is re-synchronized to the national power grid after being shut down since 7 December 1984.
—"Reactor Notes Pertaining to the Generating Table for January: India," Nucleonics Week, 2 May 1985, p. 16.

14 March 1985
Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Dr. Raja Ramanna announces that the fast breeder test reactor (FBTR) at Kalpakkam will be commissioned in August or September of this year, after a year's delay. India's FBTR will be the world's first reactor to use mixed uranium-plutonium carbide fuel as its core. The Kalpakkam nuclear facility, which will also have a 500MW sodium cooled prototype fast breeder reactor by the year 2000, will soon be renamed the Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research (IGCAR).
—Kim Gordon-Bates, "India Set to Commission World's First Plant to use Mixed Carbide Fuel," Nucleonics Week, 14 March 1985, pp. 1-2.

27 March 1985
India's Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) plans on starting work on 18 new nuclear power plants during the Seventh Five-Year Plan. Twelve plants will have a 235MW capacity; six will have a 500MW capacity. In the immediate future, two of the new units will be built in Rajasthan and two will be built in Karnataka. The sites of the remaining units have not been decided.
—"Energy; Plans for Nuclear Power Stations," New Delhi Home Service, 27 March 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 4 April 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

1 April 1985
India and France agree to start joint projects in fast breeder nuclear reactors. The Chairman of the Indian Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), Dr. Raja Ramanna announces the commissioning of India's fast breeder test reactor (FBTR) at Kalpakkam.
—"France–Nuclear Energy Cooperation," Press Trust of India, 1 April 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 10 April 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

25 April 1985
India's parliament debates the country's nuclear options in light of the Defense Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao's demand for an increase in grants as well as Pakistan's progress in nuclear fuel enrichment program. Some Indian analysts and politicians believe that Pakistan is on the threshold of building nuclear weapons.
—"Indian Parliament Debates on Nuclear Policy," Xinhua (Beijing), 25 April 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 25 April 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

29 April 1985
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi notifies parliament that India will construct a total of 22 nuclear power reactors in the next 10 years. Upon completion, India's nuclear power capacity will be raised to 10,000MW.
—"India to Construct More Atomic Power Stations," Xinhua (Beijing), 29 April 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 29 April 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

1 May 1985
The Madras nuclear power plant at Kalpakkam resumes operation with an output of 115MW. It has an overall generating capacity of 235MW.
—"Kalpakkam Atomic Station Resumes Generation, New Delhi Home Service, 1 May 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 8 May 19855, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

4 May 1985
During a two-day meeting of the ruling Congress Party, Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi warns that Pakistan is currently in the process of building a nuclear bomb. He states, "The government now has definite reports that Pakistan is going ahead with the development of nuclear weapons and this dangerous development will completely change the present military balance in the subcontinent." He continues, "We are looking into various aspects of this development and what action we should take."
—Paul Wedel, "India Weighs Response to Pakistani Nuclear Program," UPI, 4 May 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 4 May 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "India Compelled to Review Its Nuclear Policy, Gandhi Says," Associated Press, 4 May 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 4 May 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

5 May 1985
India's Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) announces India's nuclear power generation rose to a record 4,100 million kwh during 1984-85. This represents a 17 percent increase over the previous year. India currently has five operating nuclear power plants and research facilities and another one is expected to become operational during 1985-86. The DAE report also states that India's heavy water production went up nearly 90 percent; and the Uranium Corporation of India processed nearly 300,000 tonnes of ores and produced a record amount of uranium concentrate in 1984-85.
—"India's Nuclear Power Generation Hits Record," Xinhua (Beijing), 5 May 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 5 May 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

7 May 1985
Pakistan Foreign Secretary Naiz A. Naik proposes to open up Pakistan's nuclear facilities to international inspections on a joint basis with India. He states, "Pakistan is willing to open its nuclear installation for inspection on a bilateral and reciprocal basis." Additionally, Naik says Pakistan is willing to "sign an agreement with India not to build nuclear weapons on a reciprocal basis."
—"Pakistan Proposes Agreement with India on Nuclear Inspections," UPI, 7 May 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 7 May 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

17 May 1985
The United States and India sign an agreement which eases the transfer of US high technology such as computers, telecommunications, and other high-end technologies to India. US Commerce Secretary Malcolm Baldrige says the agreement does not include sensitive nuclear-related or military technology. He adds the agreement includes safeguards against transferred technology being diverted to the Soviet Union.
—Victoria Graham, "United States, India Sign Technology Agreement," Associated Press, 17 May 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 17 May 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

22 May 1985
During his visit to Moscow, Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi calls on the United States to restrain Pakistan's nuclear weapons program. He states, "We are extremely worried about the Pakistani nuclear program. We feel the United States could do more to stop them from developing nuclear weapons and they are not doing so." Gandhi also feels Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative proposal ("Star Wars") will only increase "the arms race and endanger the human race. We (India) feel it should not be undertaken."
—John Iams, "Indian Prime Minister Gandhi wrapped..." UPI, 22 May 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 22 May 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Seth Mydans, "Gandhi Stresses India-Soviet Link," New York Times, 23 May 1985, p. A1.

4 June 1985
In an interview on the US television show Good Morning America, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi categorically denies that India possesses nuclear weapons. Gandhi says, "We exploded an experimental device in 1974, and we have not carried out any more work on that line at all. We have not exploded any more devices. We have no stockpile. We do not have a nuclear weapon." Gandhi also rules out pre-emptive attacks on Pakistan's nuclear facilities. When asked how India would react to a Pakistani nuclear capability, Gandhi responds, "Then we would have to really re-think all our policies."
—George Perkovich, "Nuclear Capabilities Grow," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, Los Angeles, and London: University of California Press, 1999), pp. 267-268.

5 June 1985
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi tells the French paper Le Monde that if India were to decide to become a nuclear power, it could do so within weeks or months. Gandhi further discloses that Indian scientists are continuing to work on refining nuclear explosives technology and have assured him that should the government ever want such a capability, it shall have it.
—George Perkovich, "Nuclear Capabilities Grow," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, Los Angeles, and London: University of California Press, 1999), p. 268.

14 June 1985
The Indian Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) declares the heavy water plant at Talcher, Orissa, operational. The plant is expected to begin normal production in July 1985.
—"Heavy Water Plant in Orissa Operation," New Delhi Home Service, 14 June 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 26 June 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

18 June 1985
Upon returning from his visit to the United States, Indian Prime Minster Rajiv Gandhi feels that the United States will help in preventing Pakistan from building a nuclear weapon. He states, "I am satisfied the United States will do everything it can to prevent Pakistan from making a nuclear weapon. That, of course, does not mean that Pakistan will not make a nuclear weapon."
—"Gandhi says US, Indian Viewpoints 'much closer'," UPI, 18 June 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 18 June 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

28 June 1985
The Guardian (London) reviews India's internal debate on nuclear policy. It reports that India's pro-bomb lobby recently held a discussion in New Delhi on nuclear threats and India's options. The participants included retired civil servants, army officers, defense and foreign affairs policy analysts, members of parliament and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha (India's lower house of parliament), Dr. Balram Jhakar. The consensus among the members was that India must not remain a non-nuclear state. Further, "the [Indian] government was advised not to declare its intention; it could act secretly and did not have to 'articulate' its decision before the explosion." However, in a countervailing response, members of the Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy (COSNUP) called on the Indian prime minister to "declare unequivocally that India has no plans to go for nuclear weapons." In addition, the latter appealed to the Indian government to seek ways "along with Pakistan, of ensuring that India, Pakistan, and the whole of South Asia and the Indian Ocean remain a nuclear free zone."
—Dhirendra Sharma, "Domination Theory/Nuclear Capabilities," The Guardian (London), 28 June 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 28 June 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

6 July 1985
During the inauguration of a national youth festival, Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi urges India's youth "to raise their voice against [the] nuclear arms race in order to usher in world peace."
—"Gandhi Urges Youth to Oppose Nuclear Weapons," Press Trust of India, 6 July 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 8 July 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

11 July 1985
The US television program Good Morning America reports that Pakistan has successfully tested the non-nuclear package of a nuclear device. This entails the detonation of the conventional explosive lenses around a non-nuclear core to simulate a nuclear explosion under laboratory conditions.
—George Perkovich, "Nuclear Capabilities Grow," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, Los Angeles, and London: University of California Press, 1999), p. 270.

15 July 1985
Mr. Srinivasan, chairman of the Hyderabad-based Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), announces that the entity will increase its production capacity of uranium oxide fuel to meet the needs of India's nuclear power plants by 2000.
—"Expansion of Hyderabad Nuclear Fuel Complex," New Delhi Home Service, 15 July 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 17 July 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

22 July 1985
Following Indian Prime Minister Gandhi's statement that Pakistan was close to manufacturing a nuclear weapon, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) urges Gandhi's government to develop a nuclear weapon. The Press Trust of India news agency quotes a BJP spokesperson saying that "Mr. Gandhi's government should take immediate steps to develop our own nuclear bomb in view of reports that the threat of a Pakistani nuclear bomb is real."
—"India Rightists want Bomb," New York Times, 23 June 1985, p. 3.

26 July 1985
According to the Press Trust of India, the first 235MW unit of India's Madras Nuclear Power Plant (MAPP-1) resumed power generation today. Presently, the plant is generating 50MW to the Tamil Nadu power grid.
—"Atomic Power Station in South India Resumes Operation," Xinhua (Beijing), 26 July 1986; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 26 July 1986, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

31 July 1985
Addressing the Indian Parliament, Minister of State for Science and Technology Shivraj Patil says India "will have enough indigenous nuclear fuel to support its nuclear energy program of 10,000MW of installed capacity by the year 2000." Presently, India's installed nuclear generating capacity is 1,230MW and by 1990 should reach 1,700MW. By the year 2000, India's nuclear power plants are expected to generate 10 percent of its electricity needs.
—"India to Develop Nuclear Power," Xinhua (Beijing), 31 July 1986; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe; 31 July 1986, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

7 August 1985
India's Minister of State for External Affairs tells Rajya Sabha (India's upper house of parliament) that if Pakistan goes nuclear "we will reply...stone by stone." He adds that India has the capability to produce nuclear weapons but does not believe in flaunting its capability like its neighbor.
—George Perkovich, "Nuclear Capabilities Grow," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, Los Angeles, and London: University of California Press, 1999), p. 270.

8 August 1985
India's Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) announces that the 100MW nuclear research reactor named Dhruva has become operational, and will begin production in November 1985. Capable of producing weapons-grade plutonium, Dhruva is the largest of six nuclear reactors at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC), Trombay. The Dhruva is not subject to inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Corresponding to this announcement, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's government notifies parliament that it "was keeping its nuclear options open," and it would "respond suitably" if Pakistan develops a nuclear weapon. Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, Khursheed Alam Khan adds, "Available evidence and public statements by Pakistan scientists suggest that Pakistan has been relentlessly pursuing the objective of acquiring the wherewithal to manufacture nuclear weapons."
—"Reactor Begin Operations, Authorities say," Associated Press, 9 August 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 9 August 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Stephen R. Wilson, "Nuclear Competition Brewing Between India and Pakistan," Associated Press, 22 August 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 22 August 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

15 August 1985
India's first 50MW fast breeder test reactor is scheduled to become operational in September 1985.
—"Fast Breeder Test Reactor," Press Trust of India, 15 August 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 28 August 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

19 August 1985
In an address to the Pakistan National Assembly, Pakistani Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zain Noorani states that Pakistan does not have the capacity or the intent to produce nuclear weapons, and is willing to join India in a binding international agreement to renounce nuclear weapons. He added, "We firmly hold the view that a non-nuclear regime in South Asia will be in the best interest of all countries in the region." India believes a South Asian nuclear free zone is unworkable because China, India eastern neighbor and potential adversary, already possesses nuclear weapons.
—"Pakistan Official calls on India to Jointly Renounce Nuclear Weapons," Xinhua (Beijing), 18 August 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 18 August 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Stephen R. Wilson, "Nuclear Competition Brewing Between India and Pakistan," Associated Press, 22 August 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 22 August 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

7 September 1985
The Tarapur-1 reactor is shut for maintenance work on a recirculation pump discharge valve.
—"India's Rapp-1...," Nucleonics Week, 5 December 1985, p. 15.

16 September 1985
During a meeting with a visiting US delegation, Indian foreign secretary Romesh Bhandari asks US Assistant Secretary of State Michael H. Armacost "to prevent Pakistan from using its nuclear program to produce atomic weapons."
—"India Asks US to monitor Pakistan Nuke Program," UPI, 16 September 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 16 September 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

October 1985
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi forms a small committee of experts and tasks them with outlining the architecture and costs of a potential nuclear deterrent. The committee members include Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman Dr. Raja Ramanna and strategic analyst K. Subrahmanyam.
—George Perkovich, "Nuclear Capabilities Grow," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, Los Angeles, and London: University of California Press, 1999), p. 273.

6 October 1985
During an interview with Newsweek magazine, Indian Prime Minster Rajiv Gandhi is quoted as saying that India has firm evidence that Pakistan is manufacturing a nuclear weapon. Gandhi also calls on the United States to suspend military aid to Pakistan.
—"Pakistan Making Nuclear Weapon," Kyodo Press Service (Tokyo), 6 October 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 7 October 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

14 October 1985
During a press conference in Ahemadabad, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Atal Bihari Vajpayee stresses the need for India to strengthen its defense along the border with Pakistan. He also says the BJP believes that India should produce a nuclear weapon.
—"Opposition Party wants Production of Nuclear Weapons," New Delhi Home Service, 14 October 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 16 October 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

18 October 1985
In an address to the Delhi Rotary Club, India's Chief of Army Staff General A.S. Vaidya cites unspecified reports saying that Pakistan is planning to test a nuclear device in the western Chinese province of Xinjiang.
—"Foreign News Briefs," UPI, 18 October 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 18 October 1985, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com>.

20 October 1985
Dr. Raja Ramanna, head of India's Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), announces the start up of the $58 million fast breed test reactor (FBTR) at Kalpakkam, 30 miles south of Madras. The operation of this reactor is seen as a "landmark" in India's nuclear program because it is the first to use mixed carbide fuel of 70 percent plutonium and 30 percent natural uranium carbide as a full core. The mixed carbide fuel was developed at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) in Trombay. Most nuclear reactors require enriched uranium as a fuel, a product not made in India. According to Nucleonics Week, "The technology for handling the sodium, used as a coolant and heat transmission medium, as well as equipment such as sodium pump, control systems, and other structural parts, also came from India." Fast breeder reactors produce more plutonium, a material which can be used in atomic weapons, than they consume. India is currently working on a 500MW prototype fast breeder reactor that will also use plutonium-uranium carbide fuel.
—Brahma Chellaney, "India Becomes First Nation to Use Uranium-Plutonium Carbide Fuel," Associated Press, 20 October 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 20 October 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Vyvyan Tenorio, "India's 40MWT RBTR Went Critical Last Week at Kalpakkam," Nucleonics Week, 24 October 1985, p. 5.

23 October 1985
While addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Pakistani President Mohammad Zia ul-Haq reaffirms "Pakistan's policy of developing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes only, and its irrevocable commitment not to acquire nuclear weapons and nuclear explosives." Furthermore, he states that Pakistan is ready to enter "any agreement or arrangement with India on the basis of sovereignty and reciprocity to keep our area free of nuclear weapons."
—J.T. Nguyen, "United Nations–Pakistan," UPI, 23 October 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 23 October 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

24 October 1985
Tarapur-1 is brought back online after being shut down since 7 September 1985 for maintenance work on a recirculation pump discharge valve.
—"India's Rapp-1...," Nucleonics Week, 5 December 1985, p. 15.

27 October 1985
Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi calls the latest meeting with Pakistani President Mohammad Zia ul-Haq "very definitely" productive and bilateral talks will soon begin on improving border security and economic cooperation. Gandhi adds "technical" exchanges on nuclear questions were also under consideration. Later, an Indian government official denies that exchanges on the nuclear issue are being planned.
—Steven R. Weisman, "India and Pakistan Edge a Bit Closer," New York Times, 27 October 1985, p. 3.

November 1985
The committee tasked with assessing the potential cost of a nuclear deterrent holds its last meeting. During this meeting, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi is advised by an economic advisor that the high cost of a nuclear deterrent will have an adverse impact on the Indian economy. Gandhi also solicits views from the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Tahliani. Tahliani, the highest military representative on the committee, demurs saying that he would prefer to give a studied answer to the prime minister's query. In the aftermath of the meeting, Subrahmanyam, Ramanna, and Tahliani form an informal committee to arrive at cost-estimates for an Indian nuclear force.
—George Perkovich, "Nuclear Capabilities Grow," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, Los Angeles, and London: University of California Press, 1999), pp. 273-274.

November 1985
Admiral Tahliani forms a sub-committee comprising the Army Vice Chief of Staff, General K. Sundarji, Navy Vice Chief of Staff, K.K. Nayyar, and Deputy Chief of Air Staff, John Greene, to work with the Atomic Energy Commission's (AEC) R. Chidambaram, and Defense Research and Development Organization's (DRDO) Abdul Kalam, to outline India's nuclear force requirements and arrive at cost-estimates.
—George Perkovich, "Nuclear Capabilities Grow," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, Los Angeles, and London: University of California Press, 1999), p. 274.

1 November 1985
Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi says India is not "closing the option" to make nuclear weapons." But, he adds India's "intention is clearly not to make a weapon." Furthermore, Gandhi rules out any bilateral negotiations on nuclear non-proliferation with Pakistan because "India does not have a nuclear weapons program."
—"Nuclear Weapons are still an Option, Gandhi Reiterates," Inter Press Service, 1 November 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 November 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; "India not Closing Options on Nuclear Weapons," BBC, 4 November 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 4 November 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

10 November 1985
Chairman of the Indian Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Dr. Raja Ramanna announces that India has no plans to conduct any nuclear test similar to the one conducted at Pokhran, Rajasthan, in 1974. He states, "Our nuclear program is entirely for peaceful purposes and we are not proposing to conduct any test explosion."
—"India Nuclear Program 'for Peaceful Purposes," Press Trust of India, 10 November 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 12 November 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

11 November 1985
Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi inaugurates India's first indigenously built nuclear research reactor, Dhruva. The Dhruva unit is the "only high-powered reactor in the world which uses natural uranium, clad in aluminum."
—"Dedication of First Indian-built nuclear Reactor," New Delhi Home Service, 11 November 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 13 November 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

17 November 1985
The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Atal Bihari Vajpayee states that the Gandhi government should declare its nuclear intentions openly, "so that it might deter Pakistan from going nuclear."
—"President of Janata Party supports making of Atom Bomb," Press Trust of India, 17 November 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 19 November 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

20 November 1985
In an address to the Lok Sabha (India's lower house of Parliament), Indian Foreign Minister Bali Ram Bhagat says Pakistan has produced enough weapons-grade nuclear material to make three to five nuclear bombs. "The fact that Pakistan is going ahead with a nuclear weapon program introduces a new element in the entire security dimension and India is keeping that in mind and is alert and vigilant," says Bhagat.
—Jonathan S. Landay, "India says Pakistan has Material for Three to Five A-Bombs," UPI, 20 November 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 20 November 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

25 November 1985
Leonard Spector, a proliferation expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, says that India has increased it nuclear weapons production capacity by "more than 1,000 percent" since its first nuclear explosion 1974. He bases this assumption on India's construction of a "sizeable power reactor" and an "unusually large research reactor" this past year. Neither of these reactors is subject to international inspection.
—George Gedda, "India, Pakistan Increase Nuclear Capability, Expert Says," Associated Press, 25 November 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 25 November 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

30 November 1985
During a Japan National Press Club luncheon, Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi says India will not sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
—"Indian Prime Minister...," UPI, 30 November 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 30 November 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

1985
The committee tasked with outlining the architecture and cost estimates of nuclear deterrent force for India produces its report. The report recommends that India build a "minimum deterrent" that contains nuclear warheads in "low three digits," and accept a doctrine of "no-first-use." Such a nuclear force is estimated to cost 70 billion rupees ($5.7 billion) over ten years. Three copies of the report are produced. One is submitted to the prime minister, one is submitted to the Chiefs of Staff Committee, and the third copy is retained by General K. Sundarji.
—George Perkovich, "Nuclear Capabilities Grow," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, Los Angeles, and London: University of California Press, 1999), p. 274.

5 December 1985
Nucleonics Week reports that Unit 1 of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS-1) is still shut down for continuing repairs on its end-shield leak.
—"India's Rapp-1...," Nucleonics Week, 5 December 1985, p. 15.

11 December 1985
In an interview to foreign journalists, Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi outlines steps in which Pakistan can prove it is not constructing a nuclear bomb. He says, "We have been talking about this and may be the first thing they [Pakistan] could convince us about is where all the enriched uranium is going because they don't seem to have any ostensible use for it. That is a really the starting point. If we knew where it has gone, there is no other problem."
—John Elliott, "Gandhi Challenges Zia over Nuclear Bomb; Indian Premier Asks what is Made of Enriched Uranium Output," Financial Times (London), 11 December 1985, p. 4; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 11 December 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.

17 December 1985
At a joint news conference in New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Pakistani President Mohammad Zia ul-Haq jointly announce they have pledged to "expand trade and economic tires, resume talks on a peace treaty, reduce border tensions, and investigate each others' allegations of cross-border subversion." They also agree "not to attack each other's nuclear plants." President Zia says, "The most important aspect [of the talks] is that we have decided not to attack each other's nuclear facilities." Gandhi adds the agreement was "a first step in establishing confidence in each other. We cannot jump to the final step with out going through a process of confidence building."
—Stephen Wilson, "India and Pakistan Pledge Not to Destroy Each Other's Nuclear Plants," Associated Press, 17 December 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 11 December 1985, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Steven Weisman, "Gandhi-Zia Talks Said to Bear Fruit," New York Times, 18 December 1985, p. 3.

Late 1985-Early 1986
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi does not act on the nuclear task force's recommendations. The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) privately advises the prime minister that India is not ready to bear the economic burdens of building a nuclear force. Rather, the country should wait until the development of missile based delivery systems, and then create a separate service to control nuclear weapons.
—George Perkovich, "Nuclear Capabilities Grow," India's Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation (Berkeley, Los Angeles, and London: University of California Press, 1999), p. 275.