In 1998. India planned 6 tests, but went ahead with only 5. When asked why not the 6th, Vajpayee replied "No need. We have all the data". Data required that avoids physical testing and depend on computer simulation. This is why shewred Vajpayee announced a voluntary moratorium on testing and followed it up by nearly signing NPT and CTBT.
That testing argument is a bogey is apparent when one appreciates the last test by the 5 Nuclear Powers:
France January 27, 1996 Operation Xouthos (Fangataufa) China July 29, 1996, underground. USA September 23, 1992 Russia October 24, 1990. UK Julin Bristol, November 26, 1991,
This is because of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) bans all nuclear explosions in all environments, for military or civilian purposes. The Treaty was opened for signature in New York on 24 September 1996, when it was signed by 71 States, including five of the eight then nuclear-capable states. The CTBT has now been signed by 178 states and ratified by 144.
Though China and US has not signed the CTBT, they too follow a voluntary moratorium as India does. India joins these two powers in voluntary moratorium through the 123 Agreement. So where's the sell out? It is the Left and BJP - the Sino-Pak stooges who soldout the country.
