Press Releases 2005

Indian Businesses and Government Officials Participate in Seminar on U.S. Export Controls

15 July 2005

New Delhi, India - Indian businesses and Indian government agencies participated this week in two seminars on U.S. export requirements with regard to dual-use and munitions technology, one in New Delhi and one in Bangalore.

The events - "Seminar on Strategic Trade Controls" - were organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Department of State, and hosted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in New Delhi and the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) in Bangalore.

There was strong attendance for both seminars. During the July 12-13 seminar in New Delhi, over 60 representatives from industry and government attended. During the July 14-15 seminar in Bangalore, over 80 representatives attended.

Robert O. Blake, Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, noted in his opening remarks in New Delhi that, "while controlled trade may be small in quantity - representing less than one percent of overall bilateral trade - it is very important to the quality of our trade relationship. Thus, it is important to understand U.S. export controls because compliance with these controls can facilitate high-technology trade by increasing the confidence for such trade."

Participants in the seminars explored various aspects of the U.S. dual-use and munitions licensing processes and learned about U.S. and Indian industry responsibilities under U.S. export control laws and regulations. The seminars included sessions on U.S. product classifications and license determinations, reexports of items with U.S. content and foreign-made items, U.S. foreign policy controls, end-use/end-user controls, managing compliance, and U.S. licensing of defense articles by the U.S. Department of State.

The seminars were held under the auspices of the U.S.-India High Technology Cooperation Group (HTCG). The HTCG was initiated in November 2002 as a result of a commitment between President Bush and the Prime Minister of India to stimulate high-technology commerce between the two countries. The HTCG, which is co-chaired by the U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security and the Indian Foreign Secretary, consists of senior representatives from each government and seeks to identify steps to create a favorable environment for high-technology trade and collaboration, while enhancing the security related to such trade.