Technological development is necessary, but less should be spent on military and more to improve the quality of average citizen. When 40% of Indians earn $1 or less, I cannot really praise when that country wastes money on nuclear armaments. It does not bring prestige to India. In Bengali we say Gariber Ghora Rog or a poor man's indulgence in horse racing.
I think the latest feat by India will start a dangerous arms race in the Sub-continent.
I don't agree with your statement, everything has to go hand in hand. Developing a device for cheaper electricity will bring change in more people than just spending the money on the poor. Even your Bengali statement also make no sense (might be the psyche of bengali), there are many rag to riches stories which will contradict that. It's all about the attitude, if a poor man has a attitude that "i will ride the horse at any cost" he can achieve it.