Ahead of President Barack Obama’s visit here, India on Wednesday said it expects progress on the issue of relaxation of US export control regime on dual-use items. “Yes I do see...We are expecting progress in that field,” India’s ambassador to the US Meera Shankar said here when asked about New Delhi’s expectations on relaxation of US export control laws which prohibit transfer of dual-use items.
The issue, which has been a major area of concern for India, is expected to figure prominently during the talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mr Obama here on November 8. Sources here indicate that some announcement may be reflected in the joint statement to be issued after the meeting.
Under the export control regime, the US has a list of entities which whose export to certain countries like India requires clearances. In the case of India, technology in 10 of the 16 broad areas, including chemicals and biological materials, for the civil industries are affected by this. These technologies fall under the categories “non-proliferation, national security, missile technologies and crime control” by the US administration.
India wants such items to be allowed to be transfered without the requirement of clearances. Sources in the government here say the US is undertaking a India-specific review of its policy and the two sides are working on this issue to finetune it to India’s benefit.
Ms Shankar said till now the country’s maximum technology collaboration is with the US companies.
Mr Obama, who will undertake a three-day visit beginning from November 6, will also visit Mumbai besides Delhi. Ms Shankar was asked how enthusiastic the US was about signing with India some defence pacts like the Logistics Support Agreement and Communications Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA), over which New Delhi is reluctant.
She evaded a direct reply, saying, “our endeavour is to see how we can build the relationship with the US in the defence fileds and other fields as an intrinsic part of our overall bilateral relationship.” Under the LSA, for which negotiations have been going on for last few years, the two countries will have to provide their air and naval bases to each other’s forces. —PTI