The USA is positive on relaxing certain curbs on export of technology transfer on hi-tech items to India. The issue is likely to be discussed during the visit of US President Barack Obama, beginning November 6. Sources say that both sides have made considerable progress in making changes in the US policy on supplying hi-tech equipment to India, through the Hi-Tech Cooperation Group. The two leaders will discuss other issues on how to carry the civil nuclear cooperation between US and India forward.

However, India might not sign the three military pacts that the US wants it to sign. These pacts - BECA, CISMOA (Communication Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement) and LSA (Logistics Support Agreement )for developing closer defence ties and for procuring fuel and supplies from each others’ facilities, will not be ready by the time President Obama comes to India next week.

It may be noted that during the visit of the US Secretary of Defence, Robert Gates, in January this year, he had stressed on India signing these defence pacts. India, however, is not much keen as the issue was not discussed during the visit of Defence Minister AK Antony to the US in September. Even the Indian Air Force chief, PV Nair, has gone on record saying that India does not stand to gain much through these agreements.

Earlier, while talking to media, Prime Minister Manmohan said he was keenly looking forward to US President Barack Obama's visit. “The two countries had a common desire to bring about a qualitative change in their bilateral relationship and must explore new commonalities. India-US relations have entered a new phase. There is cordiality, there is understanding," said Manmohan Singh, while on his way back home, after a seven-day visit to Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam. He said the two countries now had strategic partnership and interactions on a range of issues.

All aspects related to the visit of the US President beginning on November 6, were discussed during a 45-minute meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Hanoi, on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit. Briefing about this meeting, National Security Advisor, Shiv Shankar Menon, said the main issues relating to President Obamas visit were discussed, “which would enable us to add content to the strategic relationship, whether it relates to politics, security, economics, trade and commerce. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the state of preparedness for the visit. Issues concerning the region- strategic dialogue of the US with Pakistan, and India’s engagement in rebuilding of Afganistan were also taken up,” said Menon.