'US lawmakers ask India to embrace market-driven approaches'

US lawmakers today alleged that India's "discriminatory" trade and industry policies were hurting American companies and asked it to reverse course or face risk to the "budding" trade ties.
Alleging that Indian policies are now providing a "hostile environment" to the US companies, representatives of top companies and trade bodies here called for a "bold" US policies in response to those from India.
"India has not been a battleground in the effort to protect intellectual property in recent years, but with recent developments, that soon may change," warned Congressman Fred Upton, Chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Upton said the danger in India's recent practises is not limited to pharmaceuticals.
India now faces a WTO dispute in the green-tech field regarding mandatory domestic content requirements for solar cells and solar modules, he said.
"I'm deeply disturbed by the turn of events in India's intellectual property system. I am interested in what our witnesses have to say about the impact of these practises on US companies, their employees, their R&D efforts, and the outlook for our trade relationship with this strategic ally," Upton said.

"We are starting to see significant and worrisome policies- particularly those related to intellectual property being adopted by the Indian government over the past two years. These developments could pose a threat to a budding trade relationship," said Congressman Lee Terry.

Chairman of the Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee, Terry listed out the concerns of US industry in the field of pharmaceutical sector, solar panel energy, intellectual property protection and preferred market access for electronic goods.
"This committee is deeply concerned about the long-term effects these actions may have on US companies and workers.
It is my hope that throughout our involvement in the TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) and TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership), our representatives will work to ensure that no signatory to these treaties tolerate these types of offences," he said.
"Unfortunately, there are areas where it appears India is pursuing policies that may be inconsistent with its international trade obligation.

"These practices are damaging both American and Indian competitiveness in the world economy," Congressman Henry A Waxman, ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, said.