Germany has backed the Indo-US nuclear deal, but at the same time would like New Delhi to stick to its non-proliferation commitments, ambassador-designate Bernd Muetzelburg said.
"We don't expect India to address its energy needs from windmills alone in the future," he said.
"We understand well that India is a responsible state and will play a meaningful role in peace and stability in the region," Muetzelburg, who was foreign policy and national security advisor to former chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, said.
"We will encourage and forge a strong partnership with India in this area," said the diplomat who had played a key role in grouping India, Germany, Japan and Brazil to jointly bid for permanent memberships in the UN Security Council.
Muetzelburg said being a signatory to the "two plus four treaty" of 1990 for the unification of Germany, his country had given up its rights to manufacture or possess nuclear, biological or chemical weapons.
"We are therefore committed to nuclear non-proliferation. We would like India to work closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency and other like agencies to work against proliferation," he added.
Muetzelburg said that while it was too early to say what his priorities will be in his new assignment, he hoped to see that the target of doubling India-Germany trade by 2010 is achieved much earlier.
{{/usCountry}}Muetzelburg said that while it was too early to say what his priorities will be in his new assignment, he hoped to see that the target of doubling India-Germany trade by 2010 is achieved much earlier.
{{/usCountry}}Bilateral trade between the two countries now is valued at around $7.5 billion per annum.
"My first engagement since landing here has been to participate in a reception for two business delegations from Germany," he said, reflecting that trade and economic ties with India will be among his top priorities.