Context:
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan revealed that Indian scientific and nuclear entities will soon be taken off the U.S. “restricted lists” to “fully realize” the potential of the 2008 India-U.S. nuclear deal.
US Entity List:
- Contents:
- Includes foreign individuals, businesses, and organizations.
- Subject to export restrictions and licensing requirements for specific goods and technologies.
- Compilation:
- Compiled by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
- Purpose:
- Prevent unauthorized trade in items that could be diverted to terrorism.
- Prevent trade in items related to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs.
- Prevent activities contrary to US foreign policy or national security interests.
India-U.S. Nuclear Deal:
- Also called as 123 Agreement
- Reason: Based on Section 123 of the U.S. Atomic Energy Act of 1954 which sets the legal framework for the United States to engage in nuclear cooperation with other nations.
- Signed: 2008
- Origin: 2005 joint statement by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President George W. Bush.
- Aim: Facilitate civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries, overcoming previous restrictions due to India’s non-signatory status to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
- Provision: Allows US companies to supply nuclear fuel and technology for India’s civilian nuclear energy program.
- Commitment: India permits inspections from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for its civilian nuclear program.
- Benefits for India:
- Ended the technology denial regimes against India, effectively ending India’s nuclear isolation.
- 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:
- Highlights the progress in India-U.S. strategic ties and shared commitments to peaceful nuclear cooperation.
- Aims to strengthen clean energy supply chains and advance resilient civil nuclear partnerships.
Source: ET
Previous Year Question
With reference to the ‘Trans-Pacific Partnership’, consider the following statements:
1. It is an agreement among all the Pacific Rim countries except China and Russia.
2. It is a strategic alliance for the purpose of maritime security only.
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2016 Prelims]
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d)