Germany for energy coop with India; softens on India-US deal

Hannover, Apr 24 (UNI) Virtually giving up her reservations over the India-US nuclear deal, Chancellor Angela Merkel today declared Germany's desire to cooperate with India in the field of energy security and supply, bolstering New Delhi's efforts to build an international consensus in favour of the landmark agreement.

'' We intend to expand our strategic ties with India. We also want to cooperate in the field of energy, security and supply,'' Chanceller Merkel said while opening the Indo-Germany business summit here with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after the two leaders jointly inaugurated the India pavilion at the Hannover fair.

In what sounded like music to Indian Prime Minister's ears, Dr Merkel spoke highly of India's emergence at the world stage as a major industrial power.

She asked German business houses to avail of the opportunities being offered by India.

The German leader, however, wanted India to deal with the issue of protectionism, saying this was coming in the way of promoting trade and economic cooperation between the two countries '' Any attempt at protectionism has to be discouraged. It is not right path to pursue.'' Germany, a key member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, had expressed reservations over the India-US nuclear deal clinched during President George W Bush's visit to New Delhi in March.

Berlin's stand was that the timing of the deal was not conducive as it had come amid international communities pressure on Iran to discontinue its nuclear programme. Dr Manmohan Singh yesterday used all his persuasive skills to convince Chancellor Merkel to soften Berlin's stand on the deal, citing India's impeccable non-proliferation record and its adherence to no first use nuclear doctrine.

Ms Merkel said Germany too wants to intensify cooperation in the field of energy, including energy security, with India.

''We are running open doors with India including in the area of energy security and energy supplies. We want to build on this cooperation ,'' Ms Merkel said.

The German Chancellor said India is a country with a GDP growth of over seven per cent and '' we trust them.'' Earlier, Dr Manmohan Singh and Ms Merkel ... picking up from para four, line one of DF19, EXTERNAL-INDIA-GERMANY.

UNI PC-AT RL RP HT1952