U.S. COMMERCE DROPS EXPORT SANCTIONS AGAINST 51 INDIAN FIRMS

   The U.S. Commerce Department will remove sanctions against 51 Indian companies. The sanctions were imposed last year after India exploded nuclear devices in retaliation for similar detonations by Pakistan.
   Commerce said it decided to take this action based on a recent decision by the Clinton Administration to focus more on Indian companies which have direct ties to nuclear weapons development. The rule will take effect once published in the Federal Register.
   "Removal of the entities will make it easier for them to obtain U.S.
goods and technology — especially non-sensitive products that ordinarily do not require an export license for India," Commerce said.
   The United States will continue to deny Indian firms access to dual-use items that could be used in the manufacture of nuclear and missile technology.
   Congress supports the move. The fiscal 2000 Defense Appropriations Act states that the current list of about 300 Indian and Pakistani firms is too broad and needs refining. Congress also wants the list of restricted exports to India to be narrowed to nuclear and missile technology.
   The Administration says it will continue to adjust the list of
sanctioned Indian and Pakistani firms and products.
   The list of Indian firms removed from Commerce’s sanctions list may be viewed on the web site: https://www.bxa.doc.gov/entities/the51list.html.