India Conducts Pokhran-II Nuclear Tests — Operation Shakti

India conducted five nuclear tests at Pokhran on May 11–13, 1998 (Operation Shakti), declaring itself a nuclear weapons state. PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced the tests publicly. The tests triggered international sanctions from the US, Japan, and others. Pakistan's nuclear tests followed within two weeks, completing South Asia's overt nuclear standoff.