Low expectations for Obama's India trip

New Delhi: With just a couple of weeks to go for US President Barack Obama's India visit, government sources are playing down the expectations.

The contrast with the George Bush visit is all too stark. Bush may have been controversial in his own country, but he delivered the nuclear deal. In comparison, there is no one big ticket item on the Obama trip.

New Delhi is hoping that one significant announcement will be on the lifting of restrictions on hi-technology exports to India, but those talks, say sources, are going down to the wire.

India has lobbied hard for the lifting of export restrictions on hi-technology. US officials have hinted this may happen - allowing the sale of sensitive technology to India, which was denied after the Pokhran tests, but sources say it's not clear how far US will go.

New Delhi also hopes for a strong sign that US will support New Delhi for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, though sources are skeptical about whether Obama will go beyond his stated position.

The relationship has been plagued with a series of irritants from Obama's strong anti-outsourcing stand, to America's continued objections to the nuclear liability law, the hike in visa fees and David Headley.

US officials however say ties have only deepened.

"This will be the longest visit the President makes to any foreign country during his presidency so far. So the President really sees this as one of the defining partnerships that we are going to have in the 21st century," said Robert Blake, US Assistant of State for South Asia.

In recent days, Washington has gone out of its way to stress on the importance of the relationship with India, even pointing out that Obama will travel to Pakistan only next year, but the question is just how far can Delhi take this strategic engagement forward?

Also, ahead of Obama's visit, sources say India is expected to sign a crucial IAEA treaty called the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage or the CSC, which will give India access to international funds in case of a nuclear accident - it's something America has been keen on.