 "Donald Trump")
India will take up the issue of visa for Information Technology professionals as well as other contentious issues with the new Donald Trump administration in the United States.
India will continue to negotiate with the US government once it takes charge in early January, next year, Commerce and Industry minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday. India will communicate its position on trade issues and brief the US government about Indian industry's contribution to the US economy, she added.
Trump during his election campaign expressed concerns about immigration and outsourcing of jobs.
India has time and again raised concerns over the American visa regime and hike in visa fees as it impacts Indian IT industry which earns about 60% of its revenue from that market.
India has also filed a case in the WTO against the US decision to impose high fees on temporary working visas.
On the chances of the Trans Pacific Partnership being ratified by the United States now becoming low, Sitharaman said India will wait for the new administration to clearly spell out its stance.
The ambitious free trade deal between the US and 11 other Pacific Rim nations, chances of the mega trade deal being ratified now looks slim.
"No matter what the presidential candidates promised during the campaign process, we do not know their position clearly", Sitharaman said.
The deal, if passed, stands to see textile manufacturer Vietnam and IT outsourcing powerhouse Phillipines get access to the high value American market. Indian exporters have warned this would severely hit the domestic textile industry which relies on exports and has been steadily losing market share in Europe and other places.
Earlier in the day, Sitharaman said the commerce ministry is waiting for Cabinet approval to form special purpose vehicles to roll out special purpose vehicles for two industrial corridors.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has submitted a feasibility study report for two industrial corridors, Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC) and Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC) which Sitharaman said was priority activity for her department.
