India, US to resolve issues related to visa, totalisation pact

India and the US today committed to continue engagement to resolve issues related to visa, movement of professionals and totalisation agreement.
These issues were deliberated upon during the meeting of Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and US Trade Representative Michael Froman. They met under the 10th India- US Trade Policy Forum (TPF) meeting.
"The US and India also decided to continue their engagement on visa issues, and their shared resolve to facilitate the movement of professionals, experts, and scientific personnel in to the respective countries," the joint statement said.
The two countries acknowledged the ongoing discussions on totalisation and resolved to continue their engagement on the elements required in both countries in order to pursue a bilateral totalisation agreement," it said.

India is insisting to start negotiations for the early conclusion of totalisation agreement or social security pact as its absence restricts movement of Indian IT professionals.
On intellectual property (IP), both the countries emphasised the role of robust and balanced IPR protection in fostering creativity, promoting innovation, and attracting investment, taking into account the interests of all stakeholders, including the public.

The leaders reiterated the "goal of ensuring the poorest populations in India and the US have access to quality healthcare, and recognised the important role that trade, IP and innovation policies play in enhancing access to quality health and affordable medicines," it said.

Froman urged for a transparent notice and comment process to implement and evaluate India's national IPR policy.
Both countries voiced concern about the unauthorised recording, including camcording, of films in cinemas and copyright piracy on websites, it said.
On protecting trade secrets, the leaders expressed commitment for its strong protection in their respective countries and to continue engagement on effective trade secret protection mechanisms.
"A toolkit would be prepared for industry, especially SMEs, to highlight applicable laws and policies that may enable them to protect their trade secrets in India. A training module for judicial academies on trade secrets may also be considered," it added.

"A further study on various legal approaches to protection of trade secrets will also be undertaken by India, it said.
It also said that the ministers agreed to explore mechanisms through technical discussions to address market access issues and trade costs for pharmaceutical products and medical devices in a manner that benefits patients and provides healthcare services and products.
Trade ministers of both the countries pledged to deepen
bilateral engagement in 2017 to promote digital economy through a free and open Internet and explore the adoption of joint principles that ensure that the Internet remains open to the free exchange of ideas, goods and services.

They also discussed efforts to increase transparency through publication, expedite the movement of goods through customs processes, reduce documentation, and improve supply chain connectivity through single window clearance systems that will benefit all manufacturing activities in both countries, the statement said.
"Both countries noted each other's requests and agreed to follow up on exploring the possibility of enhanced market access in services and goods sectors," it added.
USTR Froman also met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and discussed bilateral ties.
In agri sector, both the sides agreed to continue working to facilitate bilateral trade in food and agricultural products and committed to holding technical dialogues on animal health, plant health, and food issues during 2017.

"Both countries recognize the need to establish science- and risk-based regulations and procedures that are based on international standards and guidelines set by CODEX Alimentarius, the World Organization for Animal Health, and the International Plant Protection Convention," it said.
They also agreed to share best practices between their Sanitary and Phytosanitary enquiry points.
It said that the US acknowledged India's suggestion to work towards conformity based assessment system and mutual recognition systems for food products to facilitate exports.
Sitharaman and Froman noted each other's requests and agreed to follow up on exploring the possibility of enhanced market access on identified agricultural products.

While India is seeking access for mangoes, grapes and rice, the US is wants more for its cherries and alfalfa hay.
"The US agreed to a timely review of the information submitted by export of grapes from India. Subsequent to the receipt of additional information from the US, India agreed for a timely review of the request for export of US cherries and alfalfa hay," it added.
America also agreed to further collaboration to facilitate Indian rice and honey exports.
Further the US and India discussed regulation relating to end-use information for boric acid, imported and domestic, used for non-insecticidal purposes.

"Both sides agreed to discuss US concerns regarding market access for dairy products. US concerns on GM and licensing issues were noted by India," it added.
The two-way bilateral goods and services trade has reached USD 109 billion in 2015.
The Ministers recognised that for economies of their size, a great deal of potential remains.
Both sides agreed to continue their efforts for exploring possibilities for opening up the markets as well as expand share of existing trade to each other's territory.