WASHINGTON, March 13 (UPI) -- Trade talks with India and Pakistani-Indian relations top the agenda of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's upcoming Asia trip.
Powell, who last visited the subcontinent in July 2002, is scheduled to leave Sunday for talks with Indian, Pakistani and Afghanistan leaders.
He first stops in New Delhi to discuss recent agreements to expand United States and Indian cooperation on nuclear and space technology and the revived peace process between India and Pakistan. Relations between India and Pakistan have dramatically improved since Powell's last visit to the region.
Besides speaking with Indian leaders about their ongoing talks with Pakistan, Powell plans to discuss a recent technology sharing agreement reached with Indian leaders in January.
That agreement calls for U.S. cooperation on nuclear and space technology in return for stronger Indian efforts to enact strict export controls on sophisticated technology.
