Germany refuses support for India's Nuke energy programme

New Delhi, Nov 18 (UNI) Expressing concern over the challenge to the nuclear safety in the region, Germany today said it would not give any financial support to India's energy programmes under the Indo-US Nuclear Deal, but would not prevent its private companies to have fuel trade with the country.

''Supporting India would be incoherent with our country's laws,'' German Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety Sigmar Gabriel said at a press conference held after the first meeting of the Indo-German Environment Forum here.

The conference was jointly addressed with Minister of State for Environment and Forests S Regupathy.

Mr Gabriel said his country was against nuclear power plants, so it could not be a party to their promotion.

''We have laws to phase out our nuclear plants, so giving any support to India would not be incoherent with our laws,'' the German Minister said.

Replying to a question on the issue of nuclear security in the region, Mr Gabriel said the region had the biggest challenge to nuclear security, and it was one of the important issues for discussion with India tomorrow.

Mr Regupathy, however, added that India has an excellent record on nuclear safety.

On the impact of the global financial crisis on the fight against climate change, Mr Gabriel said it would depend on what results the crisis finally has, though, citing the views of US President-elect Barak Obama, he said the world needs a new deal on environment and employment.

The challenge was to supply sustainable energy to the growing population, and it would provide a great market.

''Why can't we spend 1.1 per cent of the GDP on saving climate? This would be an investment in sustainable growth,'' he said.

More UNI NAZ RJ PK HT1420