MUMBAI: Russian President Vladimir Putin, now at the centre of an international storm following his decision to attack Ukraine, came to Mumbai in October 2000, and visited the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) for one main reason: to express Russia’s support for the Pokhran nuclear tests of May 1998.
Speaking to TOI, former BARC chief Anil Kakodkar said that when Putin’s India visit was scheduled, the President expressed adesire to visit the facility.
Kakodkar said: “The first thing Putin wanted to do was to take a picture with me — then director of BARC — and Dr R Chidambaram, who was chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, with the Dhruva reactor. ” The picture is significant because Dhruva is the prime generator of weapons-grade plutonium used for the Pokhran tests.
“Through this picture, Putin conveyed his support for the N-tests,” added Kakodkar. Later, Putin visited BARC’s Central Complex auditorium with Chidambaram and Kakodkar. What caught the attention of the audience was that Putin was escorted by a member of his security team carrying what is known as the “football’’— a black box said to contain nuclear missile launch codes.
