India Seeks Better Us Access For Textiles

The government today sought a greater market access from the United States for its textiles products on the lines of the benefits extended to Pakistan.

India has also been negotiating with the European Union in Brussels for better market access through faster dismantling of quotas on textiles products and has proposed to reciprocate by cutting import tariff on textiles by 5-10 per cent.

During a meeting with the visiting US deputy secretary of treasury, Kenneth Dam, commerce and industry minister Murasoli Maran also sought reduction in peak tariffs.

Dam, on his part, emphasised on closer cooperation with India, specially on World Trade Organisation negotiations, in view of the similar concerns of the two countries. He also said the US was in favour of closer ties with India in the financial sector.

On the issue of soda ash, the Indian side informed the US delegation that the ANSAC petition before the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission for vacation of interim injunction and termination of proceedings in respect of their exports to India had been adjourned and would be heard on February 13 and 14.

The US is currently India