Germany indicates support to Indo-US nuke deal in NSG

Berlin, Apr 24 (UNI) Asserting that there was absolutely no comparison between the nuclear programmes of India and Iran, Germany today indicated that it might support the Indo-US deal for civlian nuclear energy cooperation in the powerful Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

''Germany sees the advantages in the deal and we will ask constructive questions on the accord in the NSG and we expect constructive answers, '' German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Stein Meier told reporters after a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here.

Germany is a key member of the 45-strong NSG.

Briefing reporters, an External Affairs Ministry spokesman said the German Foreign Minister sought to dispel the impression that he had opposed the deal, struck in March during President George W Bush's visit to New Delhi.

He told the Prime Minister that there had been ''some confused reporting'' about some of his remarks made in Washington on the accord.

He clarified that he had merely expressed disappointment over the deal at that stage because it could come in the way of the efforts to convince Iran to give up its nuclear programme.

However, the German Foreign Minister said he was now convinced that the deal would bring India closer to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

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