| DNA : Daily News & Analysis; Mumbai, Nov 04, 2010
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US president Barack Obama has gone to town saying he would make several announcements in India, but central ministers and top bureaucrats think otherwise.
No doubt, there could be some symbolic agreements, but no "big-ticket" decision is likely, they said.
They may be right, particularly since Obama once again asserted on Wednesday, after his Democratic Party's defeat in elections to the House of Representatives, that it was his responsibility to support jobs and opportunities for the American people.
DNA puts together for you the views ministers and bureaucrats have expressed in the run-up to the US president's November 6-8 visit.
Nirupama Rao, foreign secretary: Dramatic breakthroughs and big bangs are not expected during the Obama visit. But it will reflect the continuity in bilateral ties. It will be an opportunity to consolidate all that we have built in the past decade. We will see concrete and significant steps in a wide range of areas that will expand the long-term strategic framework of the relationship [between India and the US].
Kamal Nath, roads and highway minister: We already have a memorandum of understanding with the US on highway infrastructure development. We do not have any plans to sign any further pact or deal during US president Barack Obama's visit. However, there are a lot of things that can be shared with the US on tolling technologies and the structural and engineering aspects of highway construction, among others.
Murli Deora, petroleum minister: A memorandum of understanding is likely on technology transfer on shale gas with the US. The agreement will cover technical assistance for exploration as well as the procedure for putting shale gas blocks for auction. The agreement is likely to be signed between directorate general of hydrocarbons and United States Geological Survey.
Ashok Chawla, finance secretary: No big-ticket financial deals are expected to be signed during the US president's visit. Rather, the visit will have a political focus.
P Chidam-baram, home minister: My ministry has no issues pending to be discussed at the level of the US president.
GK Pillai, home secretary: As far as deals and agreements are concerned, there is nothing on the agenda related to cross-border or internal security issues.
A railway ministry top official: No signing of pact on railway manufacturing unit, or any other infrastructure project with the US is in sight during the Obama visit. Also, no interaction has been planned between railway ministry officials and the Obama entourage.
A senior civil aviation ministry official: No major deals are in the offing.
AK Antony, defence minister: Deals are not linked to visits. Although the C-17 transport aircraft deal is in its final stages, I'm not sure whether it will be signed during the visit of the American president.
Credit:Team DNA
