<p>Berlin is also disappointed over New Delhi’s decision to scrap the tender for six mid-air refuellers for the Indian Air Force (IAF). <br /><br />European consortium EADS Airbus was the frontrunner to clinch the $ 1.5 billion deal. German Ambassador Thomas Matussek said that the cancellation of the tender had come as a “nasty surprise” for Berlin. <br /><br />Though New Delhi’s delay in clearing the long-pending pacts with Berlin and the cancellation of the tender for the refuellers have cast a shadow on German President’s visit to India, Matussek expressed hope that the visit would help strengthen the strategic partnership forged between the two countries in 2001. <br /><br />He said that Germany was also ready to explore the possibility of civil nuclear cooperation with India.<br /></p>
<p>Berlin is also disappointed over New Delhi’s decision to scrap the tender for six mid-air refuellers for the Indian Air Force (IAF). <br /><br />European consortium EADS Airbus was the frontrunner to clinch the $ 1.5 billion deal. German Ambassador Thomas Matussek said that the cancellation of the tender had come as a “nasty surprise” for Berlin. <br /><br />Though New Delhi’s delay in clearing the long-pending pacts with Berlin and the cancellation of the tender for the refuellers have cast a shadow on German President’s visit to India, Matussek expressed hope that the visit would help strengthen the strategic partnership forged between the two countries in 2001. <br /><br />He said that Germany was also ready to explore the possibility of civil nuclear cooperation with India.<br /></p>
