Mumbai: American political leaders should refrain from making India a "scapegoat" for job losses in the United States and should resume high technology exports to world's largest democracy, which is a strategic partner, according to US Congressman Joseph Crowley.

"We are concerned with the job losses to the tune of three million in the US and some of manufacturing jobs have moved from America to China", he told reporters last night (Jan 10, 2004) on the sidelines of a function organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry in Mumbai.

"India has not taken away jobs from US. Some jobs were lost due to movement of manufacturing work to China which is not an open system and our (US) leaders should not blame India for loss of employment," Crowley said.

India has world class skills and talents and being the largest democracy it was a natural partner with growing bilateral Defence relations including joint military exercises, he said.

US needs to lift the ban on high technology exports to India in phases since such restrictions were coming in the way of enhancing co-operation in fields like information technology, he said.

The ban on sale of hi-tech items and technology was imposed after India's nuclear tests in 1998.

Commenting on growing Indo-US business relations, Crowley said Indian Government's decision to reduce peak customs duties provides more business opportunity for American companies.