Letter to High Technology Industry Representatives
November 10, 2004

Dear High Tech Industry Representative:

           We would like to invite you to participate in the fourth public-private forum of the U.S.-India High Technology Cooperation Group (HTCG) on Thursday, November 18, 2004 at the Department of Commerce in Washington , D.C. The event - "HTCG Dialogue on Defense Technology, Data Privacy, and Export Licensing" - will build on the three previous forums held in Washington , D.C. in July 2003, in Bangalore in November 2003, and in New Delhi in October 2004. As someone with an interest in the U.S.-India relationship, we invite you to participate.

          The November 18 forum will be the public-private portion of the U.S.-India High Technology Cooperation Group meetings, with the government-to-government session being held the following day. The HTCG was initiated as a result of a November 2001 commitment between the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of India to stimulate high-technology commerce between the two countries. The HTCG consists of senior representatives from each government and seeks to identify steps to create a favorable environment for high-technology trade and collaboration, while enhancing the security related to such trade.

          The November 18 forum will focus on the practical aspects of deepening cooperation in two specific areas - defense technology and data privacy - as well as explaining various aspects of the U.S. dual-use and munitions licensing processes. The event will include introductions from senior officials in the U.S. and Indian governments, followed by breakout sessions in the morning on defense technology and data privacy, reports at lunchtime on the recommendations reached in each of these breakout sessions, and an afternoon session on export licensing. A copy of the current agenda is attached hereto.

          Your expertise and participation in the forum would help guide us in our efforts to expand the U.S.-India high technology relationship. The recommendations of the public-private forum will be a key input to the next day's government-to-government talks. There is no charge for participation in the forum, but space is limited and pre-registration is required. If you are interested in participating, please fax the attached Registration Form to Chris Shybut at the U.S.-India Business Council at (202) 463-3173. In addition, please address any questions to Chris by email cshybut@uschamber.com or by telephone (202) 463-5492.

Sincerely,

Kenneth I. Juster Under Secretary for Industry and Security	Phillip J. Bond Under Secretary for Technology