10th India & United States Policy Makers Come Together for Better Trade Ties

A high level delegation led by Ambassador, Michael Froman, United States Trade Representative is attending the 10th India-United States Trade Policy Forum (TPF) meetings scheduled from 19th October, 2016 to 20th October, 2016 at New Delhi.

NEW DELHI/WASHINGTON: Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and President Obama, the Trade Policy Forum meeting has focussed on increased bilateral interaction and momentum on resolving trade concerns. As part of the annual work plan jointly agreed between India and US working groups on agriculture, trade in services and goods, promotion of investment in manufacturing and intellectual property have been meeting with an intention of understanding the best practices, facilitating investment and raising concerns relating to the trade. The previous 9th TPF was held in October, 2015 at Washington D.C, USA.

Under TPF there would be technical level discussions on 18th October, 2016 between the two sides on issues concerning with Agriculture, Services and Goods, IPR and Manufacturing. Technical Discussions would be followed by Secretary and Dy. USTR level discussions on 19th October, 2016. Ministerial Level Meeting is scheduled for 20th October, 2016 forenoon which will be led by Ambassador Michael Froman, United States Trade Representative from US side and Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman on the Indian side.

Both the sides would be reviewing the progress achieved on the issues agreed upon in work plans for 2016, under all the four work streams and would be working out the way forward for 2017.

The bilateral commercial ties between the United States and India are growing stronger as reflected by increased bilateral trade in Goods and Services of $109 billion and highest ever FDI inflows in 2015-16. The bilateral cooperation under TPF has resulted in resolving several market access issues and cooperation in services, manufacturing and IPR. India is looking forward to maintain the momentum further in the current TPF.