US wants greater access to Indian agri market via tariff cuts

India is also fighting US, apart from EU, Australia and the United Kingdom at WTO over farm issues

The United States (US) has asked India to open up a larger share of the agriculture market by reducing tariffs, dismantling import bans, and speedily adopting greater biotechnological advances, such as genetically modified (GM) crops.

The entry of foreign competition in the market is constrained by trade restrictions, such as high tariffs on agricultural imports, blanket bans for some commodities, and stringent technical requirements, said a senior US government official on Monday. 

The slow adoption of GM crops has also resulted in India falling behind Asian nations, such as Vietnam, Bangladesh and China, the official added.

These issues are part of the agricultural