US Secretary of State, John Kerry, on Thursday called on Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, at the latter's North Block office.

Kerry, who arrived in India on Wednesday for an official visit, has already pressed New Delhi to drop its opposition to global trade reforms.

During his official meeting with Jaitley and other senior ministers, Kerry is expected to urge India to change its recent stand on the trade facilitation pact and sign it.

Trade pact

The deadline for the deal on trade facilitation is Thursday.

India is keen that any worldwide reform of customs rules should be accompanied by a parallel agreement allowing developing countries more freedom to subsidise and stockpile foodgrains.

Washington has already said that New Delhi's 11th hour resistance could thwart a deal that could create nearly 21 million jobs.

It is also being contended that a global deal on trade facilitation (at the World Trade Organisation) could provide a trillion dollar stimulus to the global economy.

>srivats.kr@thehindu.co.in

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