Export control of high tech items to India complex issue: WH

Lifting restrictions on export control of high technology items to India is a "complex issue" and will be discussed during the meeting between US President, Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh next week, when the former embarks on his India tour.

"This is something that will come up in the course of this visit to India. I don't, again, want to get ahead of ourselves in terms of any potential announcements, but it is complicated, and we're working through it," White House spokesman Mike Hammer said.

Hammer briefed foreign correspondents in Washington and New York on the eve of the departure of the US President on his four-nation Asia trip beginning with India. He would also travel to Indonesia, South Korea and Japan.

"The President will be in India this coming Saturday and then will have an opportunity to - obviously, with meetings with Prime Minister Singh and others in New Delhi, will have an opportunity to address these questions directly," he said.

The White House official was responding to questions about the statement given by Commerce Secretary Gary Lock to the some Indian media groups that significant announcement is expected on export controls during the President's visit.

Obama too in an interview to the PTI had said these are very difficult and complicated issues.

Hammer also welcomed the recent Indian decision to sign the Convention on Supplementary Compensation.

"We do see that as a positive step. It's something that's continuing to be worked and that the American companies are addressing, themselves. I'm sure it'll be something that we'll be discussing in the course of the trip," he said