India expects early liberalisation of US high technology exports

New Delhi has long sought an end to such restrictions in general and the specific sanctions against such leading Indian establishments as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). In return,India has always been ready to affirm its commitment to non-proliferation and preventing the misuse of the imported technologies.

In his address to a business forum on Wednesday,Krishna had reminded his American interlocutors that “Indian importers have a 100 per cent compliance record when it comes to safeguarding imported technology”.

“We have given a number of written assurances that US technology will enjoy the level of security stipulated by the relevant US laws and not be diverted in contravention of US regulations,” Krishna added.

“These controls are not only anomalous but also a hindrance to furthering trade and investment in this particularly significant sector of our economies. We look forward to early steps in this direction,” Krishna said.

The External Affairs Minister also hoped for an early Indian access to David Headley,accused of plotting the Mumbai attacks and presently in American custody. In urging Washington not to differentiate between the various extremist groups in Pakistan,Krishna emphasised the importance of focusing on the Lashkar-e-Toiba,which is widely seen as a strategic asset of the Pakistani military establishment.

As she promised to elevate bilateral cooperation on counter-terrorism and address all doubts in New Delhi’s mind about American policies towards Pakistan and Afghanistan,U S Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reminded Krishna that India too must respond to persistent American concerns.

Clinton pointed to “doubts in America that India has not fully embraced its role in regional or global affairs or will not make the economic reforms needed to foster additional progress”.

In the run-up to the visit of President Barack Obama to India in November,the two sides will have to work hard to bring the reality of bilateral cooperation closer to the expansive possibilities that the strategic dialogue has begun to identify this week.