Historic CIA Mission in Himalayas
On July 14, 2025, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey reignited debate by accusing the Nehru‑Gandhi family of ‘bowing before America’. He circulated a declassified 1978 letter from US lawmakers to President Carter, which raised alarms about a CIA nuclear-powered surveillance device lost near Nanda Devi in the 1960s 1.
What Happened at Nanda Devi?
The mission, a joint India‑US effort, aimed to place plutonium-powered monitors atop Nanda Devi to spy on Chinese nuclear tests. In an avalanche, one device vanished—near the source of the Ganges—prompting fears of radioactive leakage 2.
Linking to Environmental Disasters
Dubey asked pointed questions: Could the Kedarnath tragedy (2013), Teesta floods, and melting glaciers at Gangotri‑Yamunotri stem from long‑buried nuclear material? He even tied declining Ganga levels and farmers’ distress to this episode 3.
Political Attack on Congress
Claiming the Nehru‑Gandhi dynasty compromised India’s national and environmental interests, Dubey characterized them as “surrendering” to US agendas. He singled out Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of undermining national faith and farmers’ welfare 4.
Debate Timeline & Context
- 1960s: CIA‑India place dual nuclear monitors on Himalayan peaks.
- Mid‑1960s: Avalanche buries one device; environmental fears arise.
- 1978: US Congress letter to President Carter highlights radioactive leak concerns.
- July 14, 2025: Dubey tweets archives, reigniting scrutiny during parliamentary monsoon session 5.
Why Trivia Buffs Should Care
This story blends Cold War intrigue with Indian geography: a nuclear device, CIA mission, Himalayan avalanches, Ganges origin, and political legacies. Perfect fodder for quizzes or learning modules. Remember—Nanda Devi, 1960s, missing CIA plutonium monitor!
Source: The Times Of India