India's nuclear program: From Smiling Buddha to Operation Shakti
India's journey into nuclear weapons began in the early 1940s under British colonial rule. Following independence in 1947, the country embarked on a peaceful nuclear program primarily focused on energy production. At the helm of the program was Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who aimed to harness nuclear energy for civilian use, emphasizing the peaceful applications of atomic power. However, the political landscape began shifting in the 1960s as India faced mounting security concerns, partic
China calls U.S. blockade in Strait of Hormuz 'dangerous and irresponsible'
China has expressed strong disapproval over the United States' blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a “dangerous and irresponsible act” that could escalate tensions in an already volatile region. In a statement issued on April 14, 2026, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that the blockade, which began at 10:00 a.m. ET on Monday, along with increased U.S. military deployment in the area, risks undermining the fragile ceasefire that had
