India welcomes US decision to lift curbs on technology exports

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today welcomed the US decision to lift controls on export of high technology items and technologies to India as well as its offer of support the country's membership in multilateral export control regimes like Nuclear Suppliers' Group.

"We welcome the decision by the US 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," Singh said.

He said it is a manifestation of the growing trust and confidence in each other.

Addressing a joint press conference with US President Barack Obama, Singh said both sides have agreed on steps to expand cooperation in space, civil-nuclear, defence and other high-end sectors.

Obama had in Mumbai announced that the US would lift control on exports of high-technology to India. He also said the US will support India's full membership in the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and three other multilateral export control regimes.

The full membership in the four multilateral export control regimes will make it easier for India to get dual-use technology from member countries though it is subject to rules of individual nations.

Apart from NSG, US has offered to support India's full membership in Missile Technology Control Regime, the Australian Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement.

These are groups of multilateral, dual use export control clubs. The Australia Group deals with chemical and biological weapons, and Wassenaar deals with conventional weapons and dual use technology.