Pages 15-16 from FCO 66324 - Proposed Nuclear program by India 1971

On October 5th, it was reported that India had signed a four-year agreement with West Germany for scientific data exchange and joint projects in nuclear power development for peaceful purposes. Further details of the agreement were being sought from the Indian Embassy. Dr. Sarabhai, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, provided an update on the progress made in India's nuclear program and mentioned that India would be able to produce a laboratory prototype of a centrifuge plant for uranium enrichment within three years. He stated that India could potentially develop nuclear bombs using centrifuge technology, but that was not their intention. Dr. Sarabhai also mentioned Germany's involvement in developing centrifuge technology but noted that the related data was classified. He confirmed India's capability to carry out underground nuclear tests but stated that collaboration with other countries was not possible due to political realities. Additionally, the first rocket launch from India's annual Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) facility in Thumba, Kerala, was scheduled for October 9th. Once the Thumba range was fully developed, India would have the capacity to fabricate and launch satellites.