Merkel gets Nehru Award, targets Iran's N-programme

New Delhi (PTI) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel
was Tuesday conferred with the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru
Award for International Understanding at a glittering function
here where she made a strong pitch for curbing nuclear
proliferation with special focus on Iran.
Hours after her flight to India was delayed by two hours
as Tehran denied overflight permission before finally
relenting, Merkel said Iran should remove doubts about its
nuclear programme.
She noted that Germany and India had joined hands at the
UN Security Council in trying to make Iran see the "error" of
its approach and "influence it in such a way that it has a
change of heart".
"We need to keep a close eye on nuclear proliferation,"
she said after receiving the award for her 'enormous efforts
for sustainable and equitable development' from President
Pratibha Patil at Rashtrapati Bhavan in presence of a host of
dignitaries, including Prime Minister Manmohan singh and UPA
Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
"We need to see to it that we prevent this (nuclear
proliferation) from spreading. Iran is a particularly a
topical case," Merkel said.
Talking about the challenges of today, she said
Germany and India are one in saying that there is a need for
change in the existing organisations in such a way that thay
are capable to meet these.
"We need to work together for reforms of the UNSC
because the composition and the format of the UNSC these days
no longer reflects reality," said the German Chancellor whose
country is a part of G-4 along with India which is pushing for
reform of the UN.
"We need to draw focus on strong international
organisations and that is why we are meeting regularly in the
format of G-20 and that this is why we have tried to make
certain structural changes to organisations," Merkel said.
"Our countries are working together for the past many
decades and we have decided to add more areas in our
cooperation and enhance the relationship," she said.
Noting that the Nehru Award was a proof of willingness
on part of India and Germany to cooperate, she said she would
use the Rs one crore award money to set up a scholarship for
Indian students in the field of German language and European
law so that younger generation get benefitted out of it.
"It is a way to foster our relations. I have a personal
commitment to take the relationship between the two countries
to a new level," the German leader said.
Talking about the threat of terrorism facing the world,
she said there was a need for taking a "very close look" at
countries where safe havens are established and pitched for
a fight against the menace.
Referring to Afghanistan, Merkel said international
community's mission there serves the purpose of fighting
terrorism.
"You know that Germany has contributed nearly 5000
soldiers to this and indeed India is doing its utmost to
support to that country to stabilise it and lead it to a
peaceful future," she pointed out.
Germany is part of the group of six nations
negotiating with Iran over its secretive nuclear programme.
Berlin also supports sanctions against Iran, and a
Germany-based Iranian bank was recently added to an EU
sanctions list.
Iran is suspected of covertly developing nuclear
weapons, but Tehran has denied that charge.