WASHINGTON, Dec 23: Restrictive Indian trade policies have delayed American export and investment to India, a USITC report has said with the US lawmakers asking the Narendra Modi government to address these significant areas of concern as both countries work to strengthen economic relations.
“US exports to and investment in India would be significantly higher if not for Indian policy barriers,” the US International Trade Commission (USITC) said in its report “Trade, Investment, and Industrial Policies in India: Effects on the US Economy.”
Prepared at the request of lawmakers, the report provides information on the effects of a wide range of Indian policies that limit US exports to and investment in India.
These policy measures include tariffs and customs procedures, foreign direct investment restrictions, local-content requirements, treatment of intellectual property, taxes and financial regulations, regulatory uncertainty, and other non tariff measures, such as unclear legal liability, price controls, and sanitary and phytosanitary standards.
“We remain concerned about systemic and continuing market access barriers identified in the ITC’s report that undermine a market-based path to development for India and diminish opportunities for US workers and businesses,” said the House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp, Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI), and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch in a joint statement.
“We urge the Indian government to address these significant areas of concern as the United States and India work to strengthen our economic relationship,” the four American lawmakers said.
We are at a pivotal moment for the US-India relationship.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recently took the helm of the Indian government, has spoken of a pro-growth vision for India. We are hopeful that we may see a deepening expansion of our long-term trade and investment relationship, which has already risen to nearly USD100 billion,” the joint statement said. (PTI)
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