Indo-US relations have moved away from grants, aid and disagreements, said US government officials in New Delhi.
“Disagreements will often come. We will find a way to take care of these things,” said the official in the backdrop of US president Barack Obama’s trip to India in early week of November.
“Our’s is no longer a donor-donee relationship. The relationship is ‘par equal’,” said the official.
He was referring to the disagreements on removing Indian institutes from an export control list, outsourcing and visa concerns, nuclear liability questions and India’s aspirations of a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Perhaps these are the four issues where both the governments are trying to come on common ground as indicated by the US government officials to reporters here. However, other issues which will figure high on Obama’s agenda are defence, climate change, science and technology, education, health, clean energy, trade, market access.
“We are aware of the issue on export control. But we see something positive coming out on this subject in this meeting,” the official said. In fact, Indian business chambers have also advocated removing Indian institutes from the US ‘entities list.’
“Indian business community is keenly looking forward to a significant relaxation in the export control regime of the United States for dual usage technologies, with particular reference to the 16 segments of controls,” said Dr Amit Mitra, secretary general, FICCI.
“The relationship is more about strategic. India’s role in the global affairs has moved beyond the South Asia boundary. India has a role to play in Asia,” said the official.
On nuclear liability, he said, “We are pleased to have enhanced cooperation in the energy sector, especially nuclear energy. India has to follow the international norms of liability in nuclear. International standard is a routine steps that are required for cooperation. It is about the individual US companies to look and begin commercial relations on nuclear,” the official said.
He also said that outsourcing is one of the issues to be discussed. The ban on outsourcing by Ohio in August has augmented the debate on ‘Buffalo vs. Bangalore.’ “American economy is open and welcomes Indian investment. I hope we will move away from some disagreements on outsourcing and hike in visa fees,” he added.
About India’s aspirations to the UNSC seat, he accepted that it is a complicated issue but US would like to keep India in loop on the UNSC reforms.
The US is also encouraged by the economic relations between the two nations, the official noted. “The US had projected its bilateral trade with India to touch record levels, topping $50 billion this year and expected exponential growth ahead. Between 2004 and 2008, our two-way trade doubled to $43 billion. There was some drop in 2009. But the way ahead is encouraging.”
He also said that in the agriculture sector, there is likely to be several agreements regarding sharing of technologies like weather forecasting, water usage in agriculture etc.
The officials also indicated that there will be no intervention on Kashmir issue. “The US policy on Kashmir is very clear and has to be resolved by India and Pakistan,” he noted.
Earlier on the day, defence minister AK Antony said India and the US are unlikely to wrap up any defence deals during the high-profile visit of visit. “I don't think so,” he told reporters in New Delhi on being asked if the defence ministry was expecting any deals to be signed during Obama's visit commencing from November 6.
