Obama holds no assurances on dual-use exports, UNSC membership

Lalit K Jha
Washington, Nov 3 (PTI) Ahead of his India visit,
US President Barack Obama Wednesday described India as a
"cornerstone" of US engagement in Asia, but held out no
assurances on key issues --support for India's permanent
membership of the UN Security Council and ending curbs on
export of dual-use technology.
Outlining the objectives of his three-day maiden trip
beginning Saturday, Obama said that building "a true strategic
partnership" with India had been one of his "highest foreign
policy priorities" since he assumed office in January last
year.
The visit would give him an opportunity to work with
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to bring Indo-US
cooperation on a broad range of issues "to a new level", he
told PTI.
The Indo-US partnership "is based on both our shared
values and our shared interests, and for these reasons, I
welcome and support India's rise as a global power", the
President said.
India's rise "is in the best interests of both the
countries (India and the US), of the region and the world", he
said.
The President answered a wide range of questions
covering contentious issues like US curbs on export of
dual-use technology items, outsourcing, UNSC membership and
Pakistan's failure to take action against perpetrators of
26/11 attacks.
Asked about the possibility of his announcing lifting of
curbs on export of dual-use technology items and more concrete
support for India's permanent membership of UNSC, Obama
described the two issues as "very difficult and complicated".
"Our teams continue to work hard to reach an agreement
that strengthens the international non-proliferation system
while treating India in a manner that is consistent with our
strategic partnership," he said in a reference to export
restrictions that cover items which have both peaceful and
military usage.
Without committing himself to a firmer support for
India's bid for permanent seat in UNSC, Obama said, "I do also
expect to discuss India's role as an actor on the global stage
during my visit." (MORE) PTI