<P> Some other nations also imposed sanctions on India, primarily in the form of suspension of foreign aid to India and government - to - government credit lines . However, the United Kingdom, France, and Russia refrained from condemning India . </P> <P> On 12 May the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated: "The Chinese government is seriously concerned about the nuclear tests conducted by India," and that the tests "run counter to the current international trend and are not conducive to peace and stability in South Asia .". The next day the Chinese Foreign Ministry issued the statement clearly stating that "it is shocked and strongly condemned" the Indian nuclear tests and called for the international community to "adopt a unified stand and strongly demand that India immediate stop development of nuclear weapons". China further rejected India's stated rationale of needing nuclear capabilities to counter a Chinese threat as "totally unreasonable". In a meeting with Masayoshi Takemura of Democratic Party of Japan, Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China Qian Qichen was quoted as saying that India's nuclear tests were a "serious matter," particularly because they were conducted in light of the fact that more than 140 countries have signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty . "It is even more unacceptable that India claims to have conducted the tests to counter what it called a "China threat". On 24 November 1998, the Chinese Embassy, New Delhi issued a formal statement: </P> <P> (sic)... But regrettably, India conducted nuclear tests last May, which has run against the contemporary historical trend and seriously affected peace and stability in South Asia . Pakistan also conducted nuclear tests later on . India's nuclear tests have not only led to the escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan and provocation of nuclear arms races in South Asia, but also dealt a heavy blow to international nuclear disarmament and the global nonproliferation regime . It is only natural that India's nuclear tests have met with extensive condemnation and aroused serious concern from the international community . </P> <P> The most vehement and strong reaction to India's nuclear explosion was from a neighbouring country, Pakistan . Great ire was raised in Pakistan, which issued a severe statement blaming India for instigating a nuclear arms race in the region . Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif vowed that his country would give a suitable reply to India . The day after the first tests, Foreign Minister Gohar Ayub Khan indicated that Pakistan was ready to conduct a nuclear test . He stated: "Pakistan is prepared to match India, we have the capability...We in Pakistan will maintain a balance with India in all fields", he said in an interview . "We are in a headlong arms race on the subcontinent ." </P>

Who was the president of india when india did first nuclear test