Why India loves the bomb

摘要

India's nuclear tests have won its new government plenty of popular support at home, perhaps enough to win a majority in a snap election. But at what cost in international condemnation and to world security? The yield of India's five nuclear explosions this week runs into megatons of national pride. Euphoric citizens embraced each other on the streets. Tri-umphalism filled the newspapers. We've shown we're a full-blooded nuclear power; we can stand up to America and give China and Pakistan a bloody nose. Economic sanctions? Who cares, national pride can't be counted in dollars. And remember, nothing much happened to China, despite Tiananmen Square. So hold firm, keep your spirits up and celebrate.