Indian-American, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, is no stranger to India owing to her origin. She, however, has the onerous task of resetting India-US ties that lost momentum in past few years.The relations touched a new low following arrest of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade and Delhi’s strong reaction. Infact Biswal’s first visit to India this year was postponed until Khobragade was allowed to fly back to India.Ever since her visit in March followed up by two visits in June and July, Biswal appears to be on a mission to engage with the BJP-led government who Prime Minister Narendra Modi was denied visa a US visa since 2005. ET’scaught up with Biswal during her just concluded trip (July 10-11) aimed at preparing for the Strategic Dialogue in Delhi on July 30-31 and much anticipated Modi-Obama meeting in Washington on September 30.Biswal told ET that the Modi government’s first budget was a positive signal that the PM means business and the US is looking forward to investments and trade in the defence, insurance and energy sectors besides strong cooperation in hotspots like Iraq. This is Biswal’s maiden interview to an Indian English daily so far.Deputy Secretary Burns and I had excellent meetings with the PM, External Affairs Minister, Home Minister, Finance & Defence Minister and NSA . We discussed steps that can reinvigorate the relationship.Prime Minister Modi who was handed over formal invitation from President Obama shared his own vision to boost India-US ties. This is a relationship that has been on growth trajectory for the last couple of decades. There has been periods of acceleration and cooperation. And there have been not so ambitious periods. However, this is the period of real potential to take the relationship to new heights.Even before results of the Lok Sabha election were formally declared on May 16, we started engaging with then Prime Minister elect Narendra Modi. We are charting out an ambitious path forward.We are looking forward to welcoming Prime Minister Modi to the USA this fall. President Obama has taken the initiative to have close relationship with PM Modi. There will be robust Indo-US engagement that is only going to intensify in the coming months and years.I was excited to be here on the day when your budget was presented. The budget was the first most visible signal that the PM and the government is open for business. Few important announcements were made and this has sent out very positive signal to the US. The first steps have been taken and we believe coming months and years will witness more steps.There is tremendous potential for partnership. Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel will visit India later this summer and we believe there is potential for strengthening defence ties through joint manufacturing and acquisitions. This would also lead to creation of jobs.Energy will be another area of cooperation. We would look for cooperation in renewable energy besides LNG exports to India to meet India’s demand for energy. We have had initial positive signals from the Modi government over the Nuclear Liability Law and we are looking forward to detailed discussions in future that would enable Westinghouse to supply reactors for the nuclear power plant in Gujarat.We are in the process to appoint a full-fledged Ambassador to India. We follow a particular system in the USA in appointing any Ambassador. We are trying to expedite that process but I cannot disclose any names now. There are several good names for the post of Ambassador to India.We have seriously noted concerns that the Indian government and the people have expressed over the issue of snooping by the US NSA. We will see greater intelligence cooperation between the two sides. We are trying to address India’s concerns both through diplomatic and private channels.The entire episode has been a learning experience for both sides. Today there is a closer understanding of experts of each other’s country over the issue. There are legal obligations on both sides. Efforts are being made for greater cooperation between the people and the systems of the two countries.Vice President Joe Biden during his trip last year had mentioned increasing bilateral trade from the current level of $100 bn. We can expect this to increase to 500 bn $in next few years.PM Modi’s trip will be great opportunity to discuss this. Defence sector presents huge initiative. We will also focus on knowledge initiative, community colleges in India, education, science and technology and space cooperation.Situation in Iraq where 10,000 Indians are working is grave. It was heartening to see 46 nurses returning home. We are sharing information and intelligence on the complex situation in Iraq. We had good discussions with Ms Swaraj and the Foreign Secretary on the Iraq situation. We will hold more consultations on engagement in the region. Besides, Asia-Pacific will be area of cooperation between the two countries.