India, U.S. close to key agreement on N-tech, space

Monday, 06 October 2003, 19:30 IST
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WASHINGTON: The U.S. is close to completing an agreement with India that will allow an expansion of trade in high-tech areas, space launch equipment and the nuclear industry, says Secretary of State Colin Powell. In an interview with the Washington Post, he said that for two years the Indians had pressed for an agreement in these areas, but "we also had to protect certain red lines that we had with respect to proliferation" because of fears the trade could be diverted for weapons. The agreement is called "the glide path". "Under the three-phase plan, India, a nuclear weapons power, would take a series of steps, such as strengthening domestic export control laws. The U.S. would respond with enhanced market opportunities," Powell said. "The glide path was a way of bringing to closure this debate," Powell said. He said it has "gotten a good reception in India, and at an appropriate time in the future it will be announced".
Source: IANS
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