US still denies dual-use tech

Washington, Nov. 23: The United States continues to impose restrictions on the export of as many as 11 of its 16 dual-use technology regimes to India, despite New Delhi being publicly praised by the Obama administration for its impeccable track record on nuclear non-proliferation.

Countries like Slovakia and Slovenia face, on the other hand, face restrictions in just four of the 16 technology denial regimes, confidential US commerce department data shows.

Lifting of restrictions on these technologies to India, a strategic partner of the US, is one of the areas that the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh is likely to take up when he meets the US President, Mr Barack Obama, here on Tuesday.

The official US list, comprising of 25 countries, shows India faces the maximum number of dual-use technology denial regimes — adhered to by three different US government wings: the departments of state and commerce and the munitions controller.

India faces restrictions in all three categories — chemical and biological weapons; in one of two nuclear non-proliferation categories and missile technology, and both regimes of national security and regional stability dual use technology denial.

As of now, the US also has imposed restrictions on two of the three regimes of dual use technology in the crime control category.

India, citing non-proliferation record, has said it is time the US lifts all export restrictions on this country.

Industry groups in both India and the US say lifting of these restrictions would benefit both countries.