Export controls not impediment in cooperation: US

New Delhi, Sep 22 (UNI) The US today said export controls are not an impediment to high technology cooperation between the country and India.

US Department of Commerce Office of Nonproliferation and Treaty Compliance Director Steven C Goldman said that 99 per cent of US items exported to India do not require a license, meaning about 12 billion dollars trade in high tech only one per cent requires license.

Thus, Mr Goldman clarified that there was no licensing requirements, adding that there are no India specific sanctions or controls that do not apply to other countries.

Speaking at the interactive session on 'Current and Prospective Opportunities in US-India High Technology Trade' organised by FICCI here, Mr Goldman said 'the Indian potential needed to be tapped.' Dispelling the misperception that export controls pose a major barrier, he delineated a group of nine areas in which advanced technology exports from US takes place such as biotechnology, lifescience, opto-electronics, information and communication, electronics, flexible manufacturing, advanced materials, aerospace and nuclear technology.

On the high exports to China with that of comparably low exports to India, he said the Chinese were more aggressive with the available opportunities despite a stringent regulatory mechanism as compared to India.

On the Indian nuclear test, Mr Goldman said that though sanctions did not terminate trade with India, they did have a dampening effect to an extent, which changed dramatically after September, 2001, when President Bush had waived off the sactions.

He further said that after November, 2001 the Heads of two nations committed India and US to a strategic partnership which did not simply mean a restoration of relationship but taking several steps ahead from a 'friendly country' status to a 'strategic partner' status.

In the backdrop of common democratic values, common interest to fight against terrorism which disrupts our freedom, trade in high technology area is critical as high technology, if properly used will enable people to lead a better life, he addd.

UNI SBA RA RAI2029