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.