India will discuss trade issues with the US Congress during Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu’s two-day visit to Washington DC starting Thursday.

Speaking to the media here, Prabhu said: “This is the first time that India is going to have a structured interaction on commerce and related issues with the (Donald) Trump administration. We will have meetings with business leaders from both the US side and the Indian side.”

The talks will not be restricted to the White House, Prabhu said, adding that: “We will have some interaction with the Capitol Hill (US Congress). This is very important because in the US, the executive branch, that is the White House, is as important as the Legislative branch which is at the Capitol. So, therefore, we will have to take both on board so we are working with them.”

Prabhu said he will also visit Cuba where he would be meeting heads of states of other countries.

He said: “We have invited quite a few ministers in Havana (Cuba) for meeting them on how can we promote bilateral trade with them. Even if we get $200 million or $300 million business from smaller countries, it adds up to quite a few billions.”

He was speaking at the launch of website for the Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).

An official statement said the website would provide regular updates on all upcoming events including awareness and sensitisation programmes being conducted, as also information on all Intellectual Property Rights.

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