Interview with Juggi Bhasin , Author of “Lies spies and Nuclear Rise"

An exclusive interview on Lies, Spies and Nuclear Rise explores real events behind India’s 1974 nuclear test, leadership under pressure, espionage, and national destiny.

on Dec 22, 2025

Interview with Juggi Bhasin , Author of “Lies spies and Nuclear Rise

Frontlist: What inspired you to mix politics, spies, and nuclear tension into one high-stakes story?

Juggi: The story in ‘Lies, Spies and Nuclear Rise’ is inspired from real events. At that time when it was decided to go for a nuclear test in 1974 it was not an easy time for the country. The politics of attrition was at its peak; the opposition had encircled the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Americans were dead against her and the CIA was being used to make trouble for her. It would not be wrong to say that the Americans were very keen that she should be forced out of office. The Pakistanis were smarting against India after the 1971 defeat of their armed forces and the ISI was upping its deadly games against India. It was but natural for me to combine all these elements together in the book.

Frontlist: When you decided to release this book, what made you feel the world needs this story right now?

Juggi: Great question and the short answer is that there are many parallels in today’s India with what was happening then in the seventies. We are of course a much stronger economy today, but the opposition is dead set against the present political dispensation and the Prime Minister. Pakistan is all out to create trouble for us and the Americans, especially the current dispensation is siding with Pakistan vis a vis India on many issues. Its is eerily very much the same situation what it was in the seventies.

Frontlist: The book involves CIA, ISI, RAW, and India’s nuclear program together. What was the toughest part about keeping the story realistic but still fast-paced?

Juggi: I used the tool of reality – fiction to tell my story. The bedrock of the story is real but a degree of imagination and fictionalising narrative and plot and character development has been used to make the story relevant, exciting and fast paced for contemporary readership.

Frontlist: What message from this book do you hope will inspire young Indians—especially about courage and responsibility?

Juggi: Look we were a basket case in the seventies. Nobody cared for us. Our situation economically was even worse then as compared to Pakistan. And yet Indira Gandhi despite all her faults, complexities and paranoia was determined that India should go nuclear. That resolve and determination should inspire a generation of young Indians.

Frontlist: When you started writing, what was the main purpose behind the story?Did you want to warn, question, or reveal something about power?

Juggi: I just wanted to take a leaf from history and tell a compelling, fast paced, page turner story that would in part shock and awe but also inspire readers especially the younger generation who might not know much of those times and that era.

Frontlist: If readers remember only one thing from this book, what do you hope it is—about leadership, sacrifice, or national destiny?

Juggi: It has to be a combination of resolute leadership and national destiny. The destinies of countries are not entitled or pre – determined or written in the stars. It is forged by resolute action and leadership and this book shows the way.