Friday, June 17 2005 09:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The US yesterday (Jun 16, 2005) said it was willing to talk to India on supplying missile Defence systems while hoping that it would spell out the regulatory mechanisms for export control of sensitive technologies.

"We are willing to talk to India about missile defence. Missile Defence is very expensive. So, it is not something that India will enter into lightly," visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Stephen Rademaker told reporters in New Delhi.

Both sides are proceeding with "deliberate speed" to address this issue and were in the process of "educating" one another on what missile defence can achieve.

Describing as an "important step forward" the recent legislation on export control approved by the Indian Parliament, he said while it was very good, "it is not the end game. The end game is promulgation of regulations".

He said the mechanism for export control of sensitive technologies have to be spelt out while implementing the regulations under the legislation.

Rademaker described his discussions in New Delhi with Foreign Secretary Shyan Saran and Meera Shanker, Additional Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry, as "very productive".

The two sides also discussed strategic issues covering Russia, China and Pakistan, he said.

Rademaker said he was briefed on the latest developments in India-Pakistan relations and the steps initiated to carry forward the peace process.

The US, he said, would welcome a decision by India to join the Proliferation Security Initiative.