Washington, D.C. - Today U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma convened the seventh U.S.-India Trade Policy Forum (TPF). The two governments examined a range of trade and investment issues in the U.S.-India bilateral relationship and expressed their shared commitment to intensify work under the TPF, including in the coming weeks preceding President Obama’s visit in November, with a view to further broadening and deepening existing economic ties.
“India is a dynamic market with a growing, educated middle class and long-term prospects for increased prosperity,” said Ambassador Kirk. “The United States strongly supports India’s rapidly growing economy, and welcomes the significant opportunities this presents for jobs in America’s farming sector, manufacturers and service providers. Today’s Trade Policy Forum is a critical part of this Administration’s actions to help Americans take advantage of those opportunities.”
During the TPF, representatives of the two governments met to discuss issues of mutual interest including agricultural and other goods trade, services, intellectual property, information and communications technology, and investment. In addition, Ambassador Kirk and Minister Sharma welcomed the inaugural meeting of the U.S.-India SME Forum, which furthered the work plan set out in the Framework for Cooperation on Trade and Investment signed in March 2010 and reflected the critical role played by SMEs in supporting jobs in connection with U.S.-India trade. The Private Sector Advisory Group, created as an adjunct to the TPF in 2007, submitted a report to Ambassador Kirk and Minister Sharma outlining its proposals for advancing the U.S.-India trade and investment relationship.
After the conclusion of the TPF, Ambassador Kirk and Minister Sharma issued a joint statement recognizing the progress achieved and urging their staffs to redouble their efforts towards addressing unresolved issues in an expeditious manner.
