Bangalore: The United States today (June 21, 2004) said the sanctions imposed on India following the nuclear tests in 1998 has been virtually removed with approvals in high technology areas at an high of 93 per cent and urged Indian entities to take advantage of the liberalised regime.

"I can say that the rate of approval is above the norm," US Under Secretary of Commerce Kenneth I Juster told an Indo-US space meet and reporters in Bangalore.

He said though the cooperation between the US and Indian space and other entities had increased, India had not taken advantage of the liberalised regime.

"As I will demonstrate tomorrow, US licensing practice since the lifting of sanctions in September 2001 has led to a dramatic and continuing increase in the volume and value of sophisticated US high technology items to India," Juster said.

He said these positive and noteworthy trends have also occurred with regard to space related trade.

"There is a misconception that there are still sanctions on India. This is simply not the case," Juster said.

On dual-use technology, regulated by the US Commerce Department, he said, lot of dual-use technology items are already available in India without license.

"There are a series of high technology products that can be exported without a license or with a high rate of approval, but I am sure that sufficient advantage is not being taken (by Indian organisations)," Juster said, adding that his Department would ensure that US firms follow contractual obligations if they sign deals with Indian entities.