[SatNews] The Press Trust of India is reporting that the U.S., which imposed curbs on trade with defense entities like ISRO and DRDO following India's nuclear tests in 1998, has set in motion regulatory changes to lift the ban soon, fulfilling a commitment made by President Obama.

A formal notification to lift the ban by the U.S. Department of Commerce for this purpose is in an advanced stage, top U.S. officials said. "These regulatory changes will begin the transformation of the bilateral export control policies to realise the full potential of the strategic partnership between our two countries," Eric Hirschhorn, Under Secretary for Industry and Security, U.S. Department of Commerce, told PTI.

He did not give any time line for the removal of restrictions, which is eagerly awaited in India. However, official sources said a formal notification in this regard could well be issued before the scheduled India visit of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke from February 6-11. The U.S. imposed curbs on trade with these defence entities in the wake nuclear tests carried out by India in 1998. Obama, during his last India visit, had assured the country that he would remove these companies from the entities list.