PM persuades German Chancellor to support N-deal

Hannover, Apr 25 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was at his charming best and used all his persuasive skills during his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to bring about a dramatic change in Berlin's position on the Indo-US nuclear deal.

Germany, a key member of the nuclear suppliers Group (NSG), had expressed reservations over the deal, saying it would not help the cause of non-proliferation at a time when the international community was pressurising Iran to abandon its nuclear programme.

At his meeting with the German Chancellor in Hannover on Sunday, the Prime Minister explained to her why India went in for deal for the civilian nuclear energy cooperation with the US.The Prime Minister also drew Chancellor Merkel's attention towards India's impeccable non-proliferation record. He also spoke about India's adherence to the no-first use nuclear doctrine.

The meeting achieved success beyond the expectations of Indian officials.

Germany not only gave up its reservations on the Indo-US deal but promised to ask ''constructive questions'' on the accord whenever it came up for discusions at the NSG.

German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Stein Meier, in his meeting with the Prime Minister yesterday, sought to dispel the impression that he had opposed the Indo-US deal. He said there had been some confused reporting on the remarks he had with regard to the deal in Washigton.

UNI