'New era for India-us ties'

The removal of the organisations under the Indian Space Research Organization and Defense Research and Development Organization from the entities list sets the stage for a new era in US-India civil space and defense cooperation to create an ambitious 21st century partnership in the civil space, defense, and high technology sectors, the US said. HT reports.

The removal of the organisations under the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) from the entities list sets the stage for a new era in US-India civil space and defense cooperation to create an ambitious 21st century partnership in the civil space, defense, and high technology sectors, the US said.

"In removing India from these lists, the U.S. government has elevated India out of the categories within the dual use regulations that formerly connoted India as a 'country of concern,'" US embassy said in a release.

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The United States has also added India to a preferential Country Group (A:2) under the U.S. Export Administration Act. This country group, which for the first time now includes India, consists of members of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). The addition of India to this group recognizes India's excellent global nonproliferation record and India's adherence to the MTCR, said the release.

US ambassador to India Timothy Roemer said noted that this is is a follow up to President Obama's visit to India where he pledged US support to India becoming a permanent member of a reformed UN Security Council and "committed to reforming our export controls policies to ensure that Indian companies seeking high-tech trade and technologies from America are treated the same as our very closest allies and partners."