A significant portion of the book covers the "lost decades" between 1974 and 1998. Chengappa critiques the indecisiveness of subsequent governments (Morarji Desai, VP Singh, and the coalition eras) who kept the bomb in the basement but refused to weaponize it. This period is depicted as one of strategic drift, where the capability existed but the political will to declare it did not, often under pressure from the United States and the non-proliferation regime.
In the intricate history of post-colonial India, few documents have captured the internal struggle between scientific ambition, national security, and moral philosophy as poignantly as the work surrounding India’s nuclear program. For students of international relations, defense studies, and modern Indian history, the name resonates with authority. As the former Editorial Director of The Tribune and a distinguished journalist who has chronicled India’s strategic affairs for decades, Chengappa is best known for his seminal work, Weapons of Peace: The Secret Story of India’s Quest to Become a Nuclear Power . weapons of peace raj chengappa pdf
Raj Chengappa’s "Weapons of Peace" (2000) provides a detailed, 50-year historical account of India's journey to becoming a nuclear-armed state, culminating in the 1998 Pokhran-II tests. Based on extensive interviews, the book chronicles the political and scientific efforts to develop a deterrent, highlighting the roles of key leaders like Homi Bhabha and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. For a preview of the content, visit Scribd . A significant portion of the book covers the