US likely to lift ban on ISRO, DRDO soon

Lalit K Jha
Washington, Jan 14 (PTI) The US, which imposed curbs
on trade with defence entities like ISRO and DRDO following
India's nuclear tests in 1998, has set in motion regulatory
changes to lift the ban soon, thus fulfilling a commitment
made by President Barack Obama.
A formal notification to lift the ban by the US
Department of Commerce for this purpose is in advanced stage,
top US officials said.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the
primary body for space research under Government of India,
headquartered in Bangalore.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO) is an India agency responsible for the development of
technology for use by the military, headquartered in New
Delhi.
"These regulatory changes will begin the
transformation of the bilateral export control policies to
realise the full potential of the strategic partnership
between our two countries," Eric Hirschhorn, Under Secretary
for Industry and Security, US Department of Commerce, told
PTI.
But he did not give any time line for the removal of
restrictions, which is eagerly awaited in India.
However, official sources said a formal notification
in this regard could well be issued before the scheduled India
visit of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke from February 6-11.
US imposed curbs on trade with these defence entities
in the wake nuclear tests carried out by India in 1998.
"The Department of Commerce is working quickly to
publish a regulation that will remove Indian space and
defence-related entities from the Entity List and enact other
India-specific export control changes," a senior US official
said.
They clarified these notifications would be India
specific.
"We have a separate track on these issues in
partnership with India," another Administration official said.
"As you'll recall, in New Delhi, the President
together with Indian Prime Minister announced a resolution of
unilateral export control issues and the President announced
his support for India in multilateral fora. That has not
changed and we continue to move forward on those steps," the
official said.
Obama, during his India visit, had assured India that
he would remove these companies from the entities list.
"Commensurate with India's nonproliferation record and
commitment to abide by multilateral export control standards,
the US will remove all civil space and defence-related
entities from the Department of Commerce "Entity List."
"Inclusion on this list generally triggers an export
license requirement when exported," said a fact sheet issued
by the White House during the Obama visit. PTI LKJ
HMI


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