The landmark talks are being held less than a month after Washington lifted sanctions it had imposed on Indian facilities after New Delhi conducted nuclear tests in 1998, officials said.

Visiting US Under Secretary of State for Commerce Kenneth Juster Monday met Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran and National Security Adviser J.N. Dixit.

Juster would also meet India's Commerce Secretary S.N. Menon during his two-day visit.

The aim of the talks is to find ways to improve ties in the high-tech trade, defence and civilian nuclear sectors and in space programmes.

During the broad dialogue held under the name of "Next Steps in Strategic Partnership (NSSP)" between the two large democracies, it was decided to appoint an "export attache" to New Delhi.

"We will be posting someone from the commerce department later this month in India who will be here on a permanent basis," Juster told reporters.

"The official will help US companies understand the opportunities in high technology sector in India and also help Indian companies understand US export control systems and requirements so that US technologies that are transferred are used in the manner they are licensed for."

The first phase of the NSSP dialogue was concluded in Washington on September 17 after which the United States announced it was lifting nuclear export controls on Indian organisations after New Delhi assured US officials they would address American non-proliferation concerns.

The move was the latest easing of sanctions imposed on New Delhi after the 1998 tests.

Cooperation in four key areas are being dicussed under these talks: civilian use of space; civilian use of nuclear technology; high technology and dialogue on missile defence system.

Indian external affairs ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said Rocca's visit from October 20 would be aimed at discussing "steps for implementing the understandings of NSSP, Phase I" and also lay the groundwork for Phase II.

Juster told reporters the talks on Monday signified the changing face of India-US ties.

"We've had a very broad and wide-ranging dialogue," he said.

"Our relations have been transformed. Where were we three years ago and where are we today?"

The 1998 US sanctions had resulted in a freeze on exchanges in nuclear and other high-tech sectors such as "dual-use technology" which finds applications in both civilian and military use.

Along with lifting the controls, Washington said it would ease export licensing policies to expand bilateral cooperation in commercial space programs.

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