India's Pokhran II nuclear tests 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. #tbt
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00:00The Indian leader visited the site of last week's nuclear tests and shrugged off condemnation from the West.
00:07He said his country needed a deterrent against neighbours China and Pakistan,
00:12the first a declared nuclear power, the second a suspected one.
00:16The US has accused India of acting foolishly and of dangerously increasing tension in the area.
00:22But Vajpayee said national security was of paramount importance
00:27and he said key issues would have to be dealt with before India signed an international test ban treaty,
00:33though he did not say what they were.
00:37His visit drew a lot of interest from local villagers.
00:40Many shared his sense of patriotism.
00:47But some people were after financial compensation from the government.
00:54This man said he was proud of the tests but wanted money to pay for the damage done to his village.
01:02There are reports of an increase in nosebleeds and skin irritation among villagers,
01:07but the government has denied there are medical problems due to radiation.