India, US officials to meet Friday to discuss trade issues

Senior officials from India and the US would meet here Friday to discuss various trade and economic issues and strengthen bilateral relations, a top official said.

A team led by Assistant US Trade Representative (AUSTR) for South and Central Asia, Christopher Wilson, will hold the meeting with senior government officials. The US officials will also meet Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday.

"Since India's election period has now passed, USTR officials are visiting India for relationship-building with Indian government counterparts, including introductory meetings for the new AUSTR for India, Christopher Wilson," a USTR spokesperson said.

External Affairs Ministry (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said an Indian delegation under a senior commerce ministry official will meet the US officials on Friday.

"Our approach is to engage with them constructively in a positive manner... We have a matching delegation from our side. it is being led by Additional Secretary-level officer from commerce ministry. It is important to keep in mind that when we engage on this issue, the trajectory of the relationship remains positive. We have to keep in mind the bigger picture and within that big picture address all issues on the table."
Stating that the US has taken a 'unilateral position' in rolling back export incentives from India, the government has asserted that it would not allow trade negotiations to overtake issues of national