U.S. and Indian officials agreed on a comprehensive plan for enhancing high technology transfers to India at the sixth High Technology Cooperation Group meeting held last week in New Delhi. Formed in 2003, the HTCG identifies four broad areas of focus for promoting and facilitating bilateral commerce in advanced technology items: defense and strategic trade, biotechnology, information technology and nanotechnology. According to a joint statement, highlights of the plan with respect to these areas include the following.
Export Controls - setting a timetable for reviewing U.S. export controls regarding India, building on existing efforts to simplify those controls
VEU - further discussions regarding the validated end-user program, a U.S. initiative to simplify licensing requirements for exports to Indian companies, in order to ensure that U.S. export control policies keep pace with the U.S.-India relationship
Nanotechnology - focus on the commercial application of cost-effective solutions to benefit society in the areas of health, energy, potable water and sustainable development
Biotechnology - support advanced technology transfers that would stimulate capacity building in life sciences and harmonize regulatory systems in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology with the ultimate objective of improving market access
Information Technology - focus on enhanced collaboration in trade of advanced electronics and software, high performance computers, encryption and next generation technologies
Defense - give impetus to high technology transfers and trade that would address all issues related to licensing and the implementation of India’s defense offsets policy, encouraging collaborations at all levels, including small and medium enterprises.
World Trade/Interactive
