Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday expressed gratitude to the Indian scientists who were instrumental in conducting Pokhran nuclear tests in 1998 and remembered his predecessor Atal Bihari Vajpayee for showing “outstanding political courage and statesmanship.”

India celebrates National Technology Day on May 11 as it was on this day in 1998 that the country successfully conducted the Pokhran nuclear tests.

“Today, on National Technology Day, we express gratitude to our brilliant scientists and their efforts that led to the successful Pokhran tests in 1998. We remember with pride the exemplary leadership of Atal Ji who showed outstanding political courage and statesmanship,” the Prime Minister wrote on Twitter.

Modi also shared a video praising the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Modi is heard in the video saying how the Pokhran nuclear tests filled the countrymen with pride and confidence.

The video also carries parts of Vajpayee’s speech in which he announced India’s ‘no first use’ policy for nuclear weapons.

The successful nuclear tests of Pokhran in 1998 have been one of the most defining milestones in India’s journey in technological advancement.

With the tests, India’s then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Bajpai led the mission of making India an independent nuclear power.