Operation Shakti refers to the second round of nuclear tests conducted by India on May 11 and May 13, 1998. It was popularly referred to as "The Buddha smiles again." In contrast with their first test, Operation Smiling Buddha, this series of tests were of purportedly militarized nuclear devices, including one which was claimed to be a hydrogen bomb (though many non-Indian experts find this claim unlikely).
The plutonium used to build the nuclear weapons is thought to have been produced in India. India has a number of nuclear reactors:
- The research reactor CIRUS, which was used to manufacture the plutonium for Operation Smiling Buddha
- Two licensed CANDU reactors, which are safeguarded by UN observers
- A number of un-safeguarded reactors based on the CANDU design
- The Dhruva reactor, designed in India, built to produce plutonium for India's nuclear weapons program
The CANDU design runs on unenriched uranium and can be refuelled while operating, which makes it well suited to plutonium production. As a result, the Canadian government has been accused of irresponsibility in providing India with such reactors. In fact, after Operation Smiling Buddha, Canada ceased exporting nuclear materials and technology to India; the two licensed CANDU reactors in India began operation in 1972, before India had conducted any nuclear tests. In addition, international observers have determined that the plutonium for Operation Shakti was not diverted from the licensed CANDU reactors ([1]).
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