US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan announced that Indian scientific and nuclear entities will soon be removed from U.S. “restricted lists” in order to “fully realise” the potential of the India-US nuclear deal of 2008.

About US Entity List

The US Entity List includes foreign individuals, businesses, and organizations subject to export restrictions and licensing requirements for specific goods and technologies.

• This list is compiled by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
• The primary purpose of the list is to prevent unauthorized trade in items that could be diverted to terrorism, weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs, or other activities deemed contrary to US foreign policy or national security interests.

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About India-US Nuclear Deal (123 Agreement)

The India-US Nuclear Deal, also known as the US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement, was signed in 2008.

• The agreement originated from a 2005 joint statement by then Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President George W. Bush.
• Its aim is to facilitate civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries, overcoming previous restrictions on nuclear trade with India due to its non-signatory status to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
• The agreement allows US companies to supply nuclear fuel and technology for India’s civilian nuclear energy program.
• India committed to permitting inspections from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for its civilian nuclear program.
• Benefits of deal for India: The agreement ended the technology denial regimes against India that had been in place for over three decades, effectively ending India’s nuclear isolation.
  • It made India eligible to purchase US dual-use nuclear technology, including materials and equipment for uranium enrichment and plutonium reprocessing.

Significance of Removal from Restricted list

• It highlights the progress in India-U.S. strategic ties and shared commitments to peaceful nuclear cooperation.
• It aims to strengthen clean energy supply chains and advance resilient civil nuclear partnerships.

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