Even university programmes funded by the Department of Energy may continue dealing with institutions and individuals from the two countries only after approval from the headquarters, according to the direction issued by the Energy Secretary Federico Pena.

The sanctions imposed to deny India any possible scientific aid for its nuclear, missile and military programmes already cover over 60 institutions and departments and more are likely to be added after a review. These also cover two Pakistani entities.

Pena has directed suspension of all activities, including visits involving Indian and Pakistani foreign nationals from nuclear institutes and related bodies as also suspension of all high-level visits from US toIndia and Pakistan besides hosting of high-level delegations from these countries.

A press release from the Energy Department said that exceptions could be made in ``cases of special urgency or merit (for example, some long-standing international collaboration in basic science that benefits the united states).'' Support from the energy department and national laboratory for research and scholarly activities of Indian and Pakistani nationals from non-sensitive categories including support provided indirectly through US universities may continue until further notice. The Pena memorandum said the adminstration was preparing specific guidelines on implementation of the sanctions and any additional actions that might result from such guidelines would be communicated separately.

Meanwhile, a militant non-proliferator, Leonard Spector, who is director of the office of arms control and non-proliferation, has been given the charge of providing guidance on specific cases for carrying out these directions.