NEW DELHI: Taking note of the fact that India went for a nuclear explosion on Buddha Purnima day and followed its 1974 feat, which incidentally, was code-named "Buddha smiled", the Indian strategic community seems to be of the opinion that Monday's three tests constitute a positive exercise aimed at regional stability and better global power-equation.

Though they are unanimous that the tests would invite adverse international reactions, including sanctions, majority of the strategic experts believe that India would manage to withstand all this, particularly when the country has not reaped any benefits whatsoever for its commendable nuclear restraints for 24 long years, whereas those flexing nuclear muscles-like China and North Korea-have been rewarded in some form or the other.

"If in 1974 there was a peaceful nuclear explosion, Monday's test was an explosion for peace without violating any international law," said the Institute of Defence Studies and Strategic Analyses'(IDSA) director Jasjit Singh, who also is the convener of the recently set up task force towards the establishment of the National Security Council.

For former foreign secretary J.N. Dixit, "it is a positive development from India's national security interest point of view. It would enhance our defence capacity. And above all, it confirms our technical capacity, leading to better global power equilibrium."

Chairman of Jawaharlal Nehru University's Centre for Conflict Power Resolution M.L. Sondhi said, "Far from leading to regional tension, the test will create a stabilising atmosphere, so important for peace not only in the region but also for the whole continent of Asia. Because, if India is better prepared militarily, there is lesser prospect of war breaking out in this part of the world."

Former naval chief Admiral K.K. Nayaar, who now heads a Forum for Indian Nuclear Deterrent, says, "Along with our nuclear scientists, Prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and defence minister George Fernandes have made the nation proud. Even if they retire from public life tomorrow, they will remain immortal for ever. The government has to be applauded that it has concerned itself with the principal duty of a government which is to ensure national security and integrity."

The strategic experts are unanimous that by undertaking three different tests-fission, low-grade and thermo-nuclear-India has proved that it can go for three type = s of nuclear weapons if the decision to exercise the nuclear option is taken. "All three type = s are required from India's security point of view. A weapon meant to guard against Pakistan cannot be effective against China for similar purpose," said Admiral Nayaar. Low-grade test is useful for making weapons of one to five kilo tons; fission test is for normal weapons of 10 to 15 kilo-tons and thermo-nuclear tests are useful for megatons (high yielding) weapons.

However, experts hope that the Vajpayee government, now that it has taken the brave decision should go for the next logical step for developing delivery systems by perfecting Agni and other long range missiles.

"I hope Vajpayee does not turn out to be an Indira Gandhi who went for the explosion in 1974 for scoring a goal over her political rivals and not utilising the capacity to augment the country's security," said Savita Pande, a Senior Fellow at IDSA.