India welcomes US support for membership in Nuclear Suppliers Group

New Delhi, Nov 8 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, on Monday said India welcomes the decision by the United States to lift controls on export of high technology items and technologies to India, and support India's membership in multilateral export control regimes such as the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

"We welcome the decision by the United States to lift controls on export of high technology items and technologies to India, and support India's membership in multilateral export control regimes such as the Nuclear Suppliers Group," said Dr Manmohan Singh in his opening remarks at the joint Press Conference with U.S. President Barack Obama here today.

"This is a manifestation of the growing trust and confidence in each other. We have agreed on steps to expand our cooperation in the space, civil nuclear, defence and other high end sectors," he added.

Dr Manmohan Singh further said India welcomes increased US investment and high technology flows in key sectors of the economy, including the nuclear energy sector.

"We welcome increased US investment and high technology flows in key sectors of our economy, including the sector of nuclear energy. We have agreed to facilitate trade and people-to-people exchanges, recognizing that protectionism is detrimental to both our economies," said Dr Manmohan Singh.

"The United States is one of our largest trading partners. Our trade is balanced and growing. India is among the fastest growing sources of investment in the United States. Indian investments have helped to increase the competitiveness of the US economy," he added.

The Prime Minister said the two nations have announced specific initiatives in the areas of clean energy, health and agriculture.

"We have announced specific initiatives in the areas of clean energy, health and agriculture. These include a Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Centre, the establishment of a Global Disease Detection Centre in India and an agreement for cooperation in weather and crop forecasting," said Dr Manmohan Singh.

"We have decided to hold a Higher Education Summit next year. Cooperation in the field of education sector holds great promise because no two other countries are better equipped to be partners in building the knowledge economy of the future," he added. (ANI)