The Hindu Business Line : US Commerce Secy to stress on bilateral ties

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New Delhi Feb. 9 The US Commerce Secretary, Mr Carlos M. Gutierrez, is making a two-day trip to New Delhi beginning from February 12 to discuss ways to promote opportunity and economic growth between the two countries, besides seeking India's support in reviving the stalled Doha trade talks.

"My visit will focus on expanding our bilateral economic relationship and working to increase US exports to India,'' he said in a statement issued in Washington on Friday, released by the USIS here.

Besides meeting the Commerce and Industry Minister Mr Kamal Nath, Mr Gutierrez would also interact with officials and the discussions would centre around enforcing intellectual property rights, reducing red tape for US companies trying to do business in India and progress under the United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act signed by the President, Mr George W. Bush, in December 2006.

Asia pacific partnership

Mr Gutierrez will reaffirm the US commitment to the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate initiated by Mr Bush, the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and the leaders of Australia, China, Japan and South Korea to reduce the intensity of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.

Doha talks

The US Secretary will also stress upon Indian officials the importance of India's full cooperation in advancing the Doha negotiations in the WTO, specifically efforts to liberalise trade in industrial and agricultural products and services.

Mr Gutierrez noted that India is increasingly becoming a vital partner on matters of security and trade and that the country will become a key player going forward in the next Doha Round of trade talks.

The US is India's largest trading partner, and through November the partnership was worth $29 billion in two-way trade. US exports to India increased 25 per cent from January-November 2005 through January-November 2006, and investment is up 10 per cent.

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