Bhubaneswar, May 10 : Former President Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam on Saturday said the Pokhran tests strengthened the nation.

Kalam who is on a two-day visit to Orissa said on the eve of tenth anniversary of Pokhran-II. . "It was a very important decision on the part of the Indian government to go for test explosion of nuclear devices on May 11, 1998," said Kalam.

At the time of the test explosions, Kalam was the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) chief and scientific advisor to the Prime Minister.

He played a crucial role in conducting the test explosions of five nuclear devices on May 11 and May 13, 1998.

Kalam added that the tests certainly added to the capability of the nation. (ANI)