Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday referred to the nuclear tests conducted in Pokhran on May 11, 1998, and said they reflected India’s firm resolve to advance its nuclear programme despite pressure from global powers. While addressing the gathering to commemorate the 75 years of the reconstruction of Somnath Temple in Gujarat, PM Modi said, “Today is important for another reason. On May 11, 1998, India conducted nuclear tests in Pokhran. Our scientists demonstrated India’s calibre and capabilities to the world. This created a global stir. All the world’s energies came forward to stop India and imposed several restrictions. There were attempts to block India economically,” he said. India conducted three nuclear bomb test explosions at the Indian Army’s Pokhran Test Range on May 11, 1998 and tested two more bombs two days later. These tests, codenamed Operation Shakti or strength, would display India’s capability to build fission and thermonuclear weapons with yields up to 200 kilotons, helping India enter the highly guarded club of countries with the capability to deploy nuclear weapons. “At a time, …