Merkel to visit next week, unlikely to focus on n-deal

Germany’s position has been that the deal should not fail due to any obstruction or resistance on its part. Briefing reporters here ahead of Merkel’s visit, German Ambassador to India Bernd Muetzelburg said on Tuesday that final details of the deal were not yet ready. “Germany would like to wait for the details of the entire arrangement to be known before it can take any final stand on the issue,” he said.

Muetzelburg said Merkel had already conveyed to Manmohan Singh, when the two leaders had met in Hanover last year, that she understood India’s energy requirements.

Merkel is arriving in India on Monday on a three-day visit during which India and Germany would sign a number of agreements to expand their cooperation in areas like defence, science and technology, and industry. She will be accompanied by a high-profile delegation that would include top officials from companies like EADS and Lufthansa, and heads of some scientific institutions. Merkel will hold talks with President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh next Tuesday. She is also scheduled to meet UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition L K Advani on the same day.

A major emphasis of the Chancellor’s visit is on widening the cooperation between the two countries in the area of science and technology. An Indo-German Science Centre is proposed to be set up in India to identify areas where the two countries can undertake joint research projects like energy security and clean development mechanism.

Merkel will also flag off a mobile science exhibition on train called ‘Science Express’ on September 30. The train, which will depict the evolution of mankind, will travel to more than 50 Indian cities over the next six months. The two countries are also expected to talk about easing visa restrictions for Indians wanting to work in Germany.