As far as U-233 technology is concerned, not many country are pursuing it. This is solely because they don't have as much Thorium as India do. Most of the research fast reactors (building blocks for U-233)has been closed in various developed countries. India is trying to build a proto-type fast reactor, which I doubt will be a success. No country has ever tried the fast reactor in large scale.
What we need to understand is the U-233 program can't run on its own. It needs the U-235 and fast reactors as well. We don't have enough uranium reserves (all the reactors in the country are running at reduced rating at this moment due to this). The public is opposing any mining of uranium in potential sites. It is really difficult to persuade people for the mining of uranium. The only option we have is to import uranium from other countries (i.e. US, Australia etc.)
About Russia..India is already in a pact with Russia and building some 4 power plants in Tamilnadu. Even Russia has not done any U-233 reactor in large scale.
I agree that US is pursuing the edal only because of monetary benefits. But are not we also going to get the benefits out of the deal? The only thing I am concerned is guarantee of fuel supply.
About the weapon tests. If you didn't succeded in the last two attempts, then I thing we really don't deserve nuclear weapon. If you succeded, there is no need for any further tests. In todays world, I don't see any country using any nuclear weapon. Its so devast
