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The contact group was set up by Obama and Modi during their meetings in Washington DC in end-September. It has met in Delhi and Vienna to untangle the liability law that has impeded the operationalisation of the India-US civil nuclear agreement. Indian officials said the contact group was trying to find “within the four walls of the nuclear liability law” the “assurances” India can give to its partners in the US, through their vendors and lawyers. The law, in case of an accident, holds not only the operator but also the supplier of equipment liable.
The progress of discussions in London seemed to give confidence to Indian officials in New Delhi that the three-day state visit of Obama will be more than about symbolism – Obama being the chief guest at the Republic Day Parade, and along with wife Michelle visiting Agra to see the Taj Mahal. Their daughters, Sasha and Malia, will skip their India trip, as their school is open.
“We expect substantive outcomes,” Syed Akbaruddin, the official spokesperson of the ministry of external affairs, said. He said the details will be made available after the discussions at Hyderabad House on Sunday, but threw in a caveat that India-US relations shouldn’t be weighed on the scales of number of agreements and MoUs (memorandums of understanding) inked.
Indian officials said the visit was the “culmination of a qualitative reinvigoration” of India-US ties after Modi met Obama in Washington in end-September. “Since then, both sides have acted with alacrity and collaborated in common pursuits and have traversed along a transformative path,” Akbaruddin said. He detailed the hectic pace of consultations on all aspects of India-US relations since October.
Indian officials termed the relationship "unparalleled in its breadth", and that New Delhi saw "a vast potential for growth in the relationship". The US, they said, was a key partner for capital technology, knowledge and skills, important source of clean energy technology and hydrocarbons. New Delhi considers Washington an important partner in defence technology; counter terrorism, space and cyber security and a key interlocutor in India's ambitions to be part of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and reforms of multilateral political and economic forums like the UN Security Council, World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
"It is our partner in our efforts to seek peace and stability in our extended neighbourhood," Akbaruddin said, indicating more robust India-US cooperation in Afghanistan. Modi - Obama discussions will focus on all of these issues. On the progress in discussions on the Bilateral Investment Treaty, Joint Secretary (Americas) Vinay Mohan Kwatra said that a "standard draft review" was taking place, suggesting the likelihood of it being signed during the Obama visit to be remote.
India - US ties had nose-dived in the last two years of the United Progressive Alliance government. The strip search of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade had further damaged relations in end-2013.
Nine "strategic dialogue" level meetings
In addition, eight meetings on defence and security - to discuss cyber security, border management, counter-IED (or improvised explosive devices), defence technologies, trade initiatives and global entry programme
Three meetings to discuss economic and commercial relations - on smart cities, financial regulation, etc
Three meetings on science and technology - vaccination programme, research and collaboration on monsoon
10 Memorandums of Understanding signed - skill development, urban development, space, renewable energy, etc
Three meetings in Delhi, Vienna and the ongoing meeting in London in last 45-days to discuss the nuclear liability issue, London meeting extended by a day to reach an agreement by the time Obama-Modi meet on Sunday
President Barack Obama, accompanied by US First Lady Michelle and senior officials, will land in New Delhi at 10 am on Sunday. Their daughters, however, will skip their three day India visit as their school is on.
THE GRAND INDIA WELCOME
January 25
Afternoon: Bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Modi at Hyderabad House, “restricted” talks to take place between Modi and Obama
Evening: Obama to call on President Pranab Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. President to host a banquet for the Obamas
January 26
Afternoon: The Obamas to attend the ‘At Home’ reception of the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Evening: Obama, Modi and Mukherjee to address business events
January 27
Morning: To address a select gathering at New Delhi’s Siri Fort AuditoriumAfternoon: The Obamas to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra
Evening: Departure from Delhi
