Speaking to reporters who accompanied Indian prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on his two-nation European trip, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Vivek Katju, said that Germany can help India in its ambitious civil nuclear program. Germany has virtually shut off internal development of nuclear energy but still has plants in operation.
“Germany has experienced significant competitiveness in this field. Their considerable power needs are met through nuclear energy. This will help us in our progress to generate civil nuclear energy. This will now be explored further,” Katju told reporters on board the prime minister’s special aircraft. Germany has expressed its willingness to help India in developing turbine technology for nuclear reactors and also in safety measures for such plants.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh referred to the prospects of the two countries entering into the new area of cooperation while hailing Germany’s supportive role in the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group which gave a crucial waiver in 2008 to help India come out of 34-year-old nuclear apartheid. “On the bilateral side, we deeply value Germany’s consistent support, including in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, for the opening of international commerce for India in the field of civil nuclear energy.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
