US official hints at lifting N-curbs on India

In an official indication that curbs on high-technology may be lifted, the US on Thursday said it wants “export control policies” to reflect India “as a partner not a target”.

In an official indication that curbs on high-technology may be lifted, the US on Thursday said it wants “export control policies” to reflect India “as a partner not a target”.

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The remarks came from US assistant secretary of state William Burns after his meeting here with external affairs minister S M Krishna and foreign secretary Nirupama Rao. Burns and US assistant secretary for South Asia Robert Blake are holding meetings with various Indian officials to firm up the deliverables during US President Barack Obama’s visit in November.

Terming his meeting with Rao “excellent”, Burns said Obama had a “rich agenda” during his visit that encompassed a range of issues from expansion of defence cooperation to counter-terrorism cooperation.

The US was also committed to working with India to realise the full potential of the historic civil nuclear agreement. “In all these areas, there is extraordinary promise and extraordinary opportunity … I believe we are making good progress,” he said.

Burns said his country had deep strategic interest in India's emergence as a global power and it was determined to continue working to adapt the international architecture to reflect the realities of 21st century.