India, Argentina agree to tackle barriers to greater trade

Eyeing deeper economic ties, India and Argentina today agreed to tackle barriers to expand the scope of bilateral trade and investments besides working for a strategic partnership between the two countries.
Both sides also agreed to look for cooperation in training and exchanges of football and hockey coaches.
The decisions were taken by External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and his Argentine counterpart Hector Timerman on his first ever bilateral visit here for the 4th round of India-Argentina Joint Commission meeting (JCM).
"Argentine Foreign Minister and I, assisted by respective delegations on either side, have concluded comprehensive discussions on the entire gamut of our bilateral relations," Khurshid told a joint press conference here.

He said the Joint Commission meeting focused on several areas of bilateral relations including trade and economy, science and technology, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, market access issues, defence, energy and space.
The two sides also exchanged views on regional developments and multilateral issues.

"I am glad that there was complete meeting of minds on all issues...During the JCM, the two sides reiterated their interest to expand the scope of our trade and investments which presently does not correspond to its full potential," Khurshid said.
The bilateral trade at USD 1.83 billion falls short of the target of USD 3 billion set up by two sides in October 2009 during the visit of the Argentine President, he said.

"The JCM agreed to tackle trade barriers such as regulatory frame works, market access issues, high tariffs, visa and work permits", he said adding the two sides agreed to expeditiously implement the decisions taken during the Joint Commission Meeting today.