22 Years Since India's Historic Nuclear Test

Brut India

22 years ago, India conducted the Pokhran II nuclear tests that changed its international image forever. They were led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee who had been re-elected prime minister only a few months prior. Here he is visiting the famous test site that India still remembers him for.

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00:00The Indian leader visited the site of last week's nuclear tests and shrugged off condemnation

00:06from the West. He said his country needed a deterrent against neighbors China and Pakistan,

00:12the first a declared nuclear power, the second a suspected one. The US has accused India

00:18of acting foolishly and of dangerously increasing tension in the area. But Vajpayee said national

00:24security was of paramount importance. And he said key issues would have to be dealt

00:29with before India signed an international test ban treaty, though he did not say what

00:33they were. His visit drew a lot of interest from local villagers. Many shared his sense

00:40of patriotism. But some people were after financial compensation from the government.

00:51This man said he was proud of the tests but wanted money to pay for the damage done to

00:59him. There are reports of an increase in nosebleeds and skin irritation among villagers.

01:06But the government has denied there are medical problems due to radiation.

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