Atal Bihari Vajpayee Biography

Atal Bihari Vajpayee becomes Minister of External Affairs in the Janata government.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee becomes Prime Minister for the first time but resigns after thirteen days.

The Bharatiya Janata Party emerges as the largest party in the 1998 general election.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee forms a coalition government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee becomes Prime Minister following the 1998 general election.

The United States and other countries impose sanctions on India after the Pokhran-II nuclear tests.

India conducts three underground nuclear tests at Pokhran and publicly declares the tests successful.

India conducts a series of nuclear tests at Pokhran and openly declares itself a nuclear-weapon state.

India conducts two additional underground nuclear tests and announces completion of its 1998 test series.

Violence in Jammu and Kashmir remains a major security challenge for Vajpayee's government.

Vajpayee and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif sign the Lahore Declaration after Vajpayee's bus journey to Pakistan.

A super cyclone devastates Odisha, killing thousands and causing extensive destruction.

Vajpayee begins a new term as Prime Minister at the head of a National Democratic Alliance coalition.

India marks the symbolic birth of its billionth citizen as its population reaches one billion.

The Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act takes effect, creating Chhattisgarh with Raipur as its capital.

Uttaranchal, later renamed Uttarakhand, becomes a separate state after being carved from Uttar Pradesh.

The Bihar Reorganisation Act takes effect, establishing Jharkhand as a new state with Ranchi as its capital.

A powerful earthquake strikes Gujarat, killing about 20,000 people and causing widespread destruction.

Vajpayee meets Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf at the Agra Summit, though the talks end without a formal agreement.

The United States lifts sanctions imposed on India after the 1998 nuclear tests.

India fires on Pakistani military posts.

India and Pakistan mass forces along their border after the Parliament attack, creating a prolonged military confrontation.

India begins a large military mobilisation along the Pakistan border after the attack on Parliament.

India imposes diplomatic and transport restrictions on Pakistan after the Parliament attack.

Armed attackers assault the Indian Parliament complex in New Delhi, prompting a major security and diplomatic crisis.

A train coach burns at Godhra, killing Hindu passengers; large-scale communal violence follows across Gujarat.

Militants attack a military camp and family quarters at Kaluchak, killing soldiers and civilians.

The United Kingdom and United States issue travel warnings as military tensions remain high between India and Pakistan.

The Eighty-sixth Amendment establishes a constitutional right to free and compulsory education for children aged six to fourteen.

Vajpayee and Chinese leaders issue a declaration outlining principles for improved India-China relations.

India and China agree to appoint Special Representatives to pursue a political framework for resolving the boundary question.

India formally recognises the Tibet Autonomous Region as part of the People's Republic of China.

India and China agree to reopen border trade through Sikkim.

India and Pakistan begin a ceasefire along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

India and Pakistan agree to restore direct air links and overflight rights as relations improve.

Vajpayee's government holds talks with moderate Kashmiri separatist leaders in New Delhi.

Vajpayee and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf agree to resume a structured peace dialogue.

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance loses power after the 2004 general election.