US lifts 13yrs ban; ISRO back with space again

New Delhi, Jan 25: After a long 13 years of ban, United States of America removed the shackles which bound Indian space research centres like ISRO, DRDO and defense-related companies so far from international trading.

ISRO and other space and defese-related companies were confronted with the ban after the nuclear test that was carried out by India in May 1998.

Following the deal between US President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during Obama's India visit in Nov 2010, US on Jan 25 announced the official cancellation of the ban on Indian space research centres.

"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 co-operatio," stated commerce secretary Gary Locke.

The notification comes week ahead of the high-profile visit of a US trade delegation led by Locke to New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai.

Some of the entities being removed are:

• Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL)
• Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE)
• Defense Research and Development Lab (DRDL)
• Missile Research and Development Complex
• Solid State Physics Laboratory
• Liquid Propulsion Systems Center
• Solid Propellant Space Booster Plant (SPROB)
• Sriharikota Space Center (SHAR)
• Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC)

Removal from the entity List eliminates a license requirement specific to the companies, and results in the removed companies being treated the same way as any other destination in India for export licensing purposes, the Commerce Department said in a statement.

OneIndia News
(With inputs from PTI)