India-US
High Technology Cooperation
February
5, 2003
Washington D.C.
Foreign
Secretary Kanwal Sibal and the U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce Kenneth
Juster met in Washington D.C. on 4th February and agreed on the
principles that would govern India-US bilateral high technology commerce,
including trade in “dual use” goods and technologies. It represents a
significant step in expanding the strategic content of the relationship.
The
two sides agreed to take steps to promote and facilitate such trade by
addressing systemic barriers to such trade; generating market awareness;
undertaking promotional activities; conducting industry outreach programs;
reviewing policies and processes on export of “dual use” goods and
technologies to India; and, pursuing export control cooperation.
The
US Government appreciated the importance that the Government of India
attaches to the widest possible access to US “dual-use” goods and
technologies and to efficiency, continuity, stability, and transparency in
the export licence application process. The US Government would review the
policies and processes for certain category of goods and the two sides would
work out arrangements for authorized transfers of goods and technologies,
controlled for nuclear proliferation and missile technology, for civilian
applications in India.
The
two governments, in cooperation with the private sector, will also conduct
special outreach activities to make government officials and private
entities in India and the United States aware about the policies,
regulations and opportunities for “dual use” trade with India.
The
principles also acknowledge importance that the US Government attaches to a
supportive regulatory and institutional environment in India for robust
bilateral high technology commerce. The two sides also envisage a series of
promotional activities to advance high technology commerce in the broadest
sense.
For
more information, contact:
Sunil Lal, Counsellor (Press & Information) at (202) 939-7042