Keen to revive a relationship that was once on the fast track,Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama are expected to underline the need to extricate the strategic partnership between their two countries from the web of regulations and processes that has blocked progress in key areas such as defence,civil nuclear energy and trade. Related: US body launches anti-India campaign ahead of PM Manmohan Singh's visit India,it is learnt,will convey its willingness to move forward on two specific US proposals for co-development and production of weapon systems in India but would want maximum technology transfer. New Delhi will also assure Washington on the nuclear liability issue,making it clear that it does not intend to apply the law in a way that is inconsistent with international practices. Related: 'Manmohan,Obama to chart course towards enhanced economic ties' Singh,who leaves for the US Wednesday on what is seen as a tough trip,will clearly be on test in all his three crucial bilateral meetings over the weekend- first,Obama on Friday,who is likely to have a list of concerns on the economic side; then,Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday,who will want answers on his governments failure to even table the land boundary agreement in Parliament; and finally,his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on Sunday,who will want him to show more political magnanimity by resuming talks. Related: Controversy over nuclear liability law ahead of Manmohan Singh's US visit But it is to Obama that Singh is keen on conveying intent,even if it appears too little,too late. The broad package,which also seeks to convey Indias commitment to economic reforms,includes: n Civil Nuclear Cooperation: A Rs 102 crore preliminary agreement between Nuclear Power Corporation of India and Westinghouse is expected to be signed to show that India remains committed to providing two sites for US reactors. The Cabinet Committee on Security approved this pact Tuesday. However,key problems such as nuclear liability will remain unaddressed. n Defence: India will show inclination to move forward on two US proposals for co-development and co-production of military equipment - the next generation Javelin anti-tank missiles and Vehicle-based Mine Scattering System. Also,under scientific research,robots and unmanned systems may figure. India will also convey its decision to move ahead on purchasing M777 ultra-light howitzers. The government has already announced its decision to buy more C-130J aircraft. * Energy: India will push for another exemption for Gas Authority of India Ltd to import 3.5 mmpta shale gas from Sabina Pass Liquefaction company. GAIL had got one exemption from Dominion Cove,which went operational on September 11 and would lead to the first import. US makes to case to case exemptions for countries with which it does not have a free trade agreement. * Economy and Trade: India will convey that its prepared to start talks on a Bilateral Investment Treaty,even though all such agreements are on freeze until a new model agreement is created. New Delhi has laid two conditions - sovereign guarantee cannot be invoked in a commercial dispute between two companies and arbitration proceedings cannot happen once a court in either country has pronounced a judgment. Also,India has made changes in a taxation circular after a US company complained that wrong calculation models had been used and in one case,the tax amount exceeded the investment. New Delhi will also point to the review it has ordered on preferential market access keeping in mind sensitivities of US companies. Besides,the two sides will exchanges notes on terrorism and the Afghanistan situation as the US prepares to pull its troops out next year. Singh will be in Washington for a day before moving to New York to address the UN General Assembly for the last time before elections.
