US, India Inc leaders to work together amid eco crisis

The US and Indian corporate leaders have pledged to fight together the challenges of current economic crisis, particularly trends of protectionism.

"We are partners in fixing the world problem and more importantly we are partners in progress," Bharti Enterprises Chairman Sunil Mittal said, summarising the views of the captains of Indian and American industries at a meeting here.

"Please support us, in limiting the noise emanating in this area (protectionism)," Mittal, who is leading a visiting CII delegation, asked the US corporate leaders at a panel discussion organised by the US India Business Council.

Referring to some protectionist measures taken by the US such as restrictions on H-1B visas, Buy America provisions in stimulus bill or talk of restricting flow of Indian nurses, Mittal said such measures only strengthens the hands of those in India against whom the corporate leaders have been fighting a "long and hard battle" for the last 15 years.

"I hope this is just a political noise and (there would be) no serious legislation with regard to H-1B visas or any other matters that would derail the process of moving forward the trade agenda between the US and the world," Mittal said.