• What would Germany’s parameters be for a nuclear deal with India?

At the first instance, this will be an agreement for peaceful uses of nuclear energy with an underlined special interest in preserving the integrity of the international non-proliferation system... and that it doesn’t contain double standards.

• There have been these concerns voiced in the context of the Iran nuclear issue. Some have dragged the India deal into this. Does Germany see merit in this comparison?

When this (Indo-US nuclear) deal was announced, our foreign minister had voiced concern that it may send the wrong message. It was a relevant concern, even though it is not possible to compare Iran with India. India has never signed the NPT, while Iran has. So, it is not double standards in terms of international law.

• The key element of the nuclear deal is that it allows India to retain its strategic programme. So while you endorse the cooperation for peaceful purposes, do you recognise India’s weapons programme?

Germany is not an illusionist. We appreciate that India has a policy of minimum credible deterrent with commitment to no first use. We appreciate that India has unilaterally decided not to conduct more tests and we would hope that it turns this into a multilateral obligation by signing the CTBT.

• So, does that mean you recognise India’s strategic programme?

Yes, India has a programme... we have to live with that fact. It doesn’t mean that we recognise it.

... contd.