US President Barack Obama today promised to “look at” export controls to make sure Indian firms have the same access to American technologies as “closest allies” and expressed the hope that the new year will see deals for the US companies to build new reactors in India.

Welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to cut red tape and make it easier for doing business, he told PTI that both countries can do even more to increase trade and investments that create jobs.

He said the bilateral trade — around $100 billion now — “is still just a fraction of what it could be” and both countries can do more.