• How would you describe the current state of Indo-German relations as both sides prepare for Chancellor Merkel’s visit?Bilateral ties between India and Germany are closer than ever before. We have established a strategic partnership which is far more than establishing close economic ties that traditionally exist between our countries. Today, our political leaders meet regularly, even at the topmost levels. We know that none of the major global challenges and issues can be resolved without countries of global importance such as India and Germany. When at the end of October German Chancellor Angela Merkel meets Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi political issues from Afghanistan to UN reforms or the G8 are on the agenda.• How far has G8’s outreach effort known as the Heiligendamm Process moved since the June summit?G8 heads of state and government together, with the leaders of the world’s most important emerging economies, India, Brazil, China, Mexico and South Africa decided to initiate the “Heiligendamm-Process” — a new form of topic-driven dialogue between G8 countries and their outreach partners. As we speak, the first high level meeting of the Heiligendamm Process is being held in Berlin under the German G8-presidency. This is an effort to upgrade the relationship to a continuous dialogue among equals.• Can you tell us how difficult it is to get the Indo-US nuclear agreement through the NSG, of which Germany is the next chair?Countries are not homogenous and have various interest groups. groups tend to believe that the Indo-US nuclear deal could have damaging effects on the nuclear non-proliferation regime as it exists. It needs to be pointed out that the kind of civil nuclear cooperation India is striving for is given to those countries who form part and parcel of the obligations under the non-proliferation treaty. In this regard, you are somehow undermining the attractiveness of the NPT-regime for others who have submitted to these conditions.• Is this why one cannot automatically assume that once the IAEA agreement is over, the NSG waiver for India would be in place very soon?The way I see it, India is seeking, from the NSG, a clear cut exception — with no conditions or expectations — which I think will not be easy for some of the member states of the NSG to readily agree. At the end of the day, the matter will not fail because of German resistance or obstruction.• Domestically, Germany does not promote nuclear power plants. Would you support it as a viable option for developing countries such as India?As in many countries, today our energy in Germany comes from different sources — from coal, nuclear energy or renewable energy. For the time being, the government of Chancellor Merkel has kept the decision of the previous government to close the nuclear power plants in Germany until 2021. Germany respects any decision of the Indian side regarding the specific mix of energies deemed appropriate for India. • In the context of Chancellor’s Merkel’s commitments towards lowering carbon emissions, how do you see Germany playing a cooperative role in India? During Chancellor Merkel’s visit to India, agreements worth 150 million euros will be entered into to support clean energy projects in India. We are sharing German expertise in energy efficiency with India and are supporting introducing supercritical technology in the country. Germany is also cooperating with India in energy research.• In fact, there’s some stress on science and technology ahead of this visit. Could you elaborate?Chancellor Merkel will put an emphasis on our cooperation in this field by flagging off a science train which will travel all over India for more than seven months. Leading international research institutions from Germany like the Max Planck Society and the Helmholtz Association have plans to intensify their cooperation with their Indian partners. • Lastly, how are we faring on the economic front? Our bilateral trade with India has doubled within 3 years and might even cross 12 billion euros this year. German companies are among the top investors in India. Our small and medium sized firms who form the backbone of the German economy, find a similar business culture prevailing among their Indian partners which are very often family-owned and family-run enterprises. However, this is no longer a one-way street. Indian investors find Germany more and more attractive for their investments.Germany attaches great importance to the ongoing negotiations for a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between India and the EU, and hopes for a timely conclusion.
