US formally lifts ban on ISRO, DRDO

New Delhi: The US has lifted the ban on trade with ISRO and other Indian space and defense-related companies. These had been imposed after India conducted nuclear tests in May 1998.
It had imposed curbs on trade with these defence entities following nuclear tests carried out by India in 1998.
These are the first steps in implementing the export control policy initiatives announced by US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on November 8, 2010.
US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said, "Today's action marks a significant milestone in reinforcing the U.S.-India strategic partnership and moving forward with export control reforms that will facilitate high technology trade and cooperation."
A US administration official who briefed correspondents on background left little doubt that the relaxation had larger strategic implications, pointing out that the re-ordering of rules to exempt India.
Following up on exemptions long sought by India, in a process that involved tortured negotiations, the US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security on Monday published a Federal Register Notice which updated the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) relating to India in several ways.