Germany backs India for NSG membership

German Ambassador Thomas Mattusek told reporters that India not being a party to the Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) will not be an issue for his country's support to India's candidacy to the elite nuclear club like the 45-nation NSG, though it would like New Delhi to be a signatory to the controversial Treaty.

"We will give support for India for its NSG membership...even without India not becoming a NPT signatory," he added.

"We value India's commitment to non-proliferation. We appreciate its track record despite not being a party to NPT." he said.

Mattusek said Germany would like India to ensure that the Civil Nuclear Liability bill and its implementation rules will address the "legitimate concerns" of the foreign suppliers of atomic equipment.

Germany can supply turbine equipment and nuclear safety technology to India, he said.
Mattusek made a strong pitch for selling Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets to India, saying it is also ready to forego the End-User Monitoring Agreement and offer complete transfer of technology. Britain, Germany, Spain and Italy have come together to pitch for the Typhoon.

India plans to buy 126 fighter aircraft under the Indian Air Force's multi-billion dollar medium multi-role combat aircraft(MMRCA) project.

Mattusek also said that Germany's HDW would be also interested in supplying six new generation submarines.

On other potential defence deals, he hoped that India would award the contract for the supply of 197 Light Utility Helicopters(LUH) to an European consortium Eurocopter.

Referring to UN Security Council reforms, the ambassador said India and Germany should work together in realising their aspirations to get a permanent seat in the prestigious policy making body. India and Germany along with Brazil and Japan comprise the G-4 which is aspiring for a seat on the high table.

"We are in the same boat," he said when asked how he reckons chances of India and Germany to become a permanent member. The two countries have got non-permanent membership for two years from January one this year.