US eases some high-tech export curbs on India

Today's action marks a significant milestone in reinforcing the US-India strategic partnership and moving forward with export control reforms that will facilitate high-technology trade and cooperation," Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said in a statement.

It follows President Barack Obama's meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in November in New Delhi, where they announced plans to expand cooperation in civil space, defense and other high technology sectors.

As a first step in implementing Obama and Singh's commitment, the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security said it would publish a new rule changing how India was treated under Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

A key measure removes several Indian space and defense-related organizations from the US Entity List, which imposes extra export licensing requirements on foreign groups or individuals whose activities have aroused concern about the possible diversion of US high-technology products that could be used to build weapons of mass destruction.

Those removed from the Entity List include Bharat Dynamics Limited, four subordinates of India's Defense Research and Development Organization and four subordinates of the All Indian Space Research Organization, China Daily reports.

See www.chinadaily.com for full version.