US Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, just back from his first mission to India, obviously reflecting concern by the American industry that India has not moved expeditiously on bilateral nuclear agreement that would envisage the consummation of the deal that would open up an estimated $70-80 billion market, has urged New Delhi to get a move on saying the ball is squarely in India's court now.

Gutierrez, delivering the luncheon address during a conference on high technology cooperation between the US and India sponsored by the US-India Business Council, expressing the US industry's frustration said, "Now that the US Congress has approved the agreement, the next step is very much in India's court," adding, "US businesses are ready and well-qualified to participate and contribute in India's civil nuclear program. And the economic benefits will flow both ways between the United States and India."

Gutierrez noted that "India will need to conclude a safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency so that it can reach a bilateral agreement with the US. Only after these are concluded can the Nuclear Suppliers Group allow nuclear trade with India."

"So there's still a lot of work to do and we want to make sure that we get on and we take full advantage of this tremendous opportunity that we have."

The commerce secretary said, "Given how far we have come, we hope India will move forward and fulfill its responsibilities and ensure US companies are able to contribute and compete in India's expanding civil nuclear market."

Gutierrez, as he had done in India, and preceding his visit, also continued to make a strong pitch for India to carry the developing world with it and help to conclude the Doha Round of the World Trade Organization.

"Our relationship has matured to the point where we have the luxury and the opportunity to have an honest and candid relationship, and that is a tremendous advantage," he said, and added, "In my meetings in India, I stressed the importance of India's full participation in the Doha Round of global trade talks. We believe India's leadership is required to achieve an agreement."

Gutierrez said, "Developing countries around the world look to India for leadership and there are many of these countries that are watching to see what India does and how far India is willing to move, and so India has a tremendous role to play an active and positive role in pushing these talks ahead."

"We are willing to make difficult choices and we believe we have a shared responsibility to make the round a success," he said.

Gutierrez said, "We also believe that getting an agreement as soon as possible is extremely important. However, getting a good agreement is a lot more important than simply getting an agreement."

The commerce secretary also provided the nearly 200 representatives of some of the leading high technology companies in the US present at the conference with a comprehensive debrief of his recent visit to India, saying that "during my visit, I was struck at just how far India has come in a very short period of time and the numbers are just remarkable."

"It's no wonder global businesses and investment companies are clamoring to get into such a dynamic market," he added, and then went on to tick off some of India's economic successes noting that "in the past year, India's economy grew by more than 9 percent. There are few markets that are more exciting than India."

Gutierrez said that two-way trade between the US and India was now up to $32 billion by end 2006, "and as you know the Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) and the President (George W Bush) set a target to double it by 2009 and we believe that we are well on our way to doing that."

He said that during his visit, he had encouraged the Indian government and business leaders "about opening India's market further, and forging ahead with a reform agenda to attract more investment and maintain a strong pace of growth."

"Every country in the world is competing for capital. That's one thing that is taking place very evidently today throughout the world and we know that capital goes to those markets that welcome investment and that have an environment that is conducive to attract capital," he said.

Gutierrez lauded the US-India High Technology Cooperation Group, saying, "This group continues to be a key forum that delivers significant results. You've made an enormous contribution to advancing high technology trade and collaboration, while strengthening our shared non-proliferation objectives."