Germany may back India's N-deal

Germany, an influential member of nuclear suppliers group, indicated its support to Indo-US civil nuclear deal.

Germany, an influential member of nuclear suppliers group (NSG), on Sunday indicated its support to the Indo-US civil nuclear deal.

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"We will be following discussions (on the deal) taking place in the US Congress. US Congress has to support it. I have listened to the Prime Minister. The discussions will follow in the NSG," German Chancellor Angela Merkel told a joint press conference after her talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

"We are following the developments. We are on positive path," she said.

Merkel said the Prime Minister had affirmed India's commitment to non-proliferation and this would make it easier for Germany.

She said this commitment was important for Germany and if the process continues as it is in the US Congress, then Germany is willing to cooperate.

"We have not reached the end of the process," she said. Merkel said that International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general Mohammed El Baradei had welcomed the Indo-US deal and this would be useful to Germany in making a decision.

Citing India's impeccable record of non-proliferation, the Prime Minister said cooperation with New Delhi in civil nuclear energy "will not run any risk of unauthorised proliferation," he said.

Noting that he had "very useful discussions on cooperation in civil nuclear field" with Merkel, Singh said India was a responsible nuclear power, it had committed to "no-first use" and also had restrained control which comply with guidelines of NSG.

"We have put in place credible mechanism to ensure that all the guidelines of NPT regime and NSG are met by our national legislation," the Prime Minister said.

Singh said although India was not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) or Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), it had "impeccable record" with regard to non-proliferation.

He said he had emphasised to Merkel that India stood committed to all the provisions of the July 18 Joint Statement issued by India and the US.

To a question about Germany's concerns over India acquiring civil nuclear energy, Merkel acknowledged that India has been making contribution to non-proliferation and that whenever Berlin has any questions, it would address these directly to New Delhi.

The German Chancellor noted that India was witnessing rapid economic growth and has to seek secure energy resources. The energy sources should be varied and there should not be dependence on one source, she said.

The two countries decided to set up an Indo-German Science Centre for cooperation in the field.

Merkel said Germany recognised the rapid economic growth of India and felt that there could be cooperation and partnership of comprehensive nature.

She particularly identified manufacturing, science and technology, nano-technology as areas of cooperation.