BERLIN, April 24 (UPI) -- Germany, a key member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, appears to be easing its stand on supplying India with uranium for its nuclear program.
"We will be following discussions (on the deal) taking place in the U.S. Congress, which has to ratify it," Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters Sunday in a joint news conference with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
She said Germany would be "willing to cooperate" and "extend cooperation in the civilian nuclear field" based on the future of discussions in the U.S. Congress and the NSG.
Germany had previously expressed concerns over the civilian nuclear deal between the United States and India, which is not a signatory to the nuclear nonproliferation treaty.
Under the deal, which needs congressional approval, the United States gives India civilian nuclear know-how in exchange for New Delhi separating its civilian and defense nuclear facilities and placing the civilian ones under international safeguards.
Some members of the 35-member NSG such as Britain, France and Russia have backed the deal. Others have expressed reservations.
