Which country hasn't failed? Yet failure makes the success probability by telling
what not to do also.
It's 100% reasonable and valid argument of sanctions.
We were not only blocked from doing test for those 24 years. Our other activities were also kept under eyes uncle Sam.
Now, China. You are claiming like your bomb was 100% homegrown. Are you aware of Soviet Partnership?
Problem isn't lack of technological capability, technology is to be developed.
If not by tests, we can improve performance through civil sector.
I can agree on one thing that
we can't achieve as reliable weapons as P5 possesses without tests.
We have enough time. Nukes can be developed later under the shield of economic and conventional power.
But developing them right now by risking economy. No.
Our suppliers will stop giving us even Uranium. We will do it when time would be right. Obviously, not now.