US hint on lifting India sanctions

The United States has given a strong indication that trade sanctions imposed on India will be lifted.

A senior American official, Christina Rocca, said the sanctions were being reviewed and her government was keen to see India take a leading role in ensuring stability in the region.

The United States imposed sanctions on India in 1998, after it carried out nuclear tests.

Ms Rocca, the Assistant Secretary of State on South Asian Affairs, also criticised India for not doing enough to open up its markets.

She said the United States was India's largest trading partner, but the volume of bilateral trade remained low.

The official held a series of meetings with key officials in Delhi, including the Foreign Minister, Jaswant Singh, and the opposition leader, Sonia Gandhi.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service