The objective, of certain nations, of capping India's atomic programme and roll it back has, however, not prevented others from honouring Indian brilliance in cutting-edge nuclear technology.
There is grudging admiration in Western circles following the conferment in July of observer status to India by the Geneva-based European Organisation for Nuclear Research (referred to as CERN).
The decision comes in the wake of a significant contribution from Indian scientists to the Large Hadron Collider project.
The LHC is a particle accelerator, which will help scientists probe deeper into the composition of matter, learn about the universe and is expected to be instrumental in various technological inventions.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Navtej Saran said, "This is recognition of the high calibre of Indian scientists and their accomplishments pertaining to cutting-edge nuclear technology."
Commodore C Uday Bhaskar, a nuclear expert and deputy director of the Delhi-based Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis, agrees.
"It is an acknowledgement of India's proven capabilities in nuclear research and also peaceful use of nuclear energy.
"India has made significant strides in research in high-energy particle physics. There has been a marked reluctance (in the West) to acknowledge this capability, but there is no doubt that Indian expertise is making is mark," he said.
"The observer status is a tacit acknowledgement that India has the ability to contribute to the overall management of nuclear resources at the global level, " he said.
But "the US has still not given up on United Nations Security Council resolution number 1172, which was critical of the May 1998 nuclear tests," he said.
Rear admiral Raja Menon (retd), another expert, felt that India being given the observer status was commendable, but it is more of a technical milestone.
"I don't see a breakthrough (as far as India being accepted as a nuclear power is concerned)," he said.
Noted defence analyst and nuclear expert in the IDSA, Dr R R Subramaniam said, "It is an accomplishment because India's pioneering work at the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics is being rewarded."
"The conferment will enhance our prestige and highlight our potential in the field of nuclear research," he said.
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