India, US may sign ‘development pacts’
India and the US can be expected to sign a few pacts on “development-related subjects” such as agriculture, health, education and clean energy.
Briefing journalists on US President Barack Obama’s visit to India, foreign secretary Nirupama Rao said most of the pacts to be signed would be such as would “affect the lives of the people at the grassroots”.
India and the US plan to set up a regional disease detection centre with global participation. Towards that end, the National Centre for Disease Control will collaborate with the Washington-based National Institute of Health.
An education summit will be organised in 2011 to take forward the Obama-Singh 21st Century Knowledge Initiative, which was announced in November 2009. Both sides will “very possibly” conclude a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in agriculture that will pertain to weather and crop forecasting.
India and the US are exploring commercial space launch cooperation. “We are looking at the text of a possible agreement,” Ms Rao said, adding that she is hopeful of a satisfactory conclusion of the talks.
“Economic partnership will be an important focus” of the Obama-Singh talks, she noted. However, a fair amount of time will be devoted for discussions on issues such as lifting of export controls, Afghanistan, Pakistan and counter-terrorism.
Ms Rao was “reasonably optimistic” of a favourable outcome on India’s assimilation into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the Wassenaar Arrangement and the Australia Group.
The Indian side will “explain” to the Americans the rationale of the nuclear liability act passed by Parliament. The idea behind the legislation is to offer a “level playing field” for all who may be interested in participating in the Indian civil nuclear energy sector, she said.
Commercial negotiations had started on the execution of the India-US civil nuclear cooperation agreement. Soon India will receive an American delegation for continuing the talks between and among the Department of Atomic Energy, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and the US companies.
India is not likely to raise the issue of extradition of Warren Anderson, who is wanted in connection with the Bhopal gas disaster.
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