Indo-US trade policy meet next week

The first meeting of the United States-India Trade Policy Forum will be held in New Delhi next week when US Trade Representative Rob Portman comes on his maiden visit to the country.

Portman will lead a 15-member high-level delegation, which is expected to discuss bilateral trade and issues relating to the ongoing negotiations at the World Trade Organisation.

While Portman's two-day visit to New Delhi begins on October 12, other delegates accompanying him will hold discussions with their Indian counterparts on October 11. The visit comes a month before the WTO's Hong Kong ministerial, scheduled to start on December 13.

Government officials told Business Standard that India will raise bilateral issues, including the continuing ban on export of Indian mangoes, trade facilitation, investment-related issues and the US' generalised system of preferences.

Officials said tariff and non-tariff trade barriers, foreign direct investment, subsidies, Customs procedures, standards, testing, labelling and certification, intellectual property rights protection, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, government procurement and services were also expected to figure during the discussions.

"The two sides are expected to discuss the current state of affairs at the WTO and measures to resolve the deadlock on agriculture," officials said. Portman will also interact with the Indian industry representatives.