Interview with Homi Sethna, 1987

Homi Sethna was a leading Indian nuclear scientist who served as Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India (1972-1983) during which time he was centrally involved with the test of 1974. In the interview, he recalls developments reaching back to the Geneva Conference of Experts in 1958 and the early days of India’s nuclear program. Included are sketches of key figures such as Homi Bhaba, Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, and specifically their views on nuclear energy, as well as information about India’s cooperation with Canada and others in developing its program. In the latter regard, Dr. Sethna insists that while India benefited from such things as adopting analytical methods used by foreign experts, the actual process and planning was “entirely an Indian effort.” He discusses the concept of a peaceful nuclear explosion and how to distinguish it from a bomb, as well as what India’s 1974 test required and what it achieved. Dr. Sethna criticizes the NPT as an unequal treaty, and scores the Carter administration for some of its non-proliferation efforts, for example in connection with the Tarapur reactor and the International Nuclear Fuel Evaluation Group. He explains his concerns about Pakistan but says it is difficult to be sure whether Pakistan has the bomb. In his view, proliferation can be controlled, but the future of the nuclear age will depend largely on the leadership of the United States.