US to ease export of dual-use goods to India

The United States is expected to ease restrictions on export of 'dual-use' goods to India following talks between US policymakers and visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal.

Sibal and US Under Secretary of Commerce Kenneth Juster met in Washington on Tuesday and agreed on the principles that will govern Indo-US bilateral high-technology commerce, an Indian embassy statement said.

"It represents a significant step in expanding the strategic content of the relationship," it said.

"The US government appreciated the importance that the Government of India attaches to the widest possible access to US dual-use goods and technologies."

The US government will review the policies and processes for certain category of goods and the two sides will work out arrangements for authorised transfers of goods and technologies, controlled for nuclear proliferation and missile technology, for civilian applications in India.

The bilateral High Technology Cooperation Group, the first such group that the US has with any country, will hold consultations and initiate activities to implement the principles.