[Satellite TODAY Insider 01-26-11] The Obama Administration has eased export restrictions on Indian space agencies and divisions, including the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced in a federal notification issued Jan. 25.
    The removal of the Indian space agency divisions eliminates extra license requirements for the entities under U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and results in the removed companies falling under general export licensing processes.
   “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,” Locke said in the notification.
    The entities removed from the list include: Bharat Dynamics; four divisions of the DRDO; India’s Armament Research and Development Establishment; India’s Defense Research and Development Lab; the Indian Missile Research and Development Complex; Solid State Physics Laboratory; four ISRO subordinates; the Sriharikota Space Center; and the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center.
    An industry official who asked not to be named told Satellite TODAY Insider that this was one of the main objectives of a recent U.S. trade delegation led by secretary Locke to New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai. “This is a big step forward, and is the result of continuous negotiations between President Obama and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. We will hopefully see more of these actions as the new U.S. space policy continues to take shape,” the official said.

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