BERLIN, March 29: German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier criticized the landmark nuclear deal between the United States and India on Wednesday in light of the dispute with Iran over its nuclear programme.

Steinmeier said in a speech before the Bundestag lower house of parliament the timing of the accord was ‘surely not helpful’ against the backdrop of international efforts to convince Tehran to abandon sensitive nuclear research.

News magazine Der Spiegel reported this week that Merkel had expressed her displeasure in a recent telephone conversation with Bush.

The United States would like to present the pact for endorsement by the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group, which oversees trade in atomic fuel and technology, in June. Despite his criticism, Steinmeier indicated that Germany would not veto the deal.—AFP