NEW DELHI: Intellectual property rights, market access for agri products, visa matters and a boost to investments are some of the issues that will come up for discussions during the Trade Policy Forum (TPF) meeting between India and the U.S. on November 25 here.
Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will deliberate on these matters with U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman, who will lead the American delegation.
"Several issues will be discussed during the TPF meet. India is committed to enhancing its economic ties with the US. Matters such as copyrights, traditional knowledge and market access are would be deliberated," a senior official said.
TPF, which has not met since 2010, is the premier bilateral forum for discussion and resolution of trade and investment issues between the two countries.
They will also discuss totalisation agreement and non-trade barriers like labour issues.
The meeting assumes significance on the backdrop of the USTR's 'out-of-cycle' review of Indian IPR laws.
Time and again the US has raised concerns over India's intellectual property rights (IPRs) regime, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. America has launched an out-of- cycle review of India's IPR regime.
India has consistently maintained its stand that its laws are compliant with global and WTO norms.
Before the TPF meet, the Deputy USTR Robert Holleyman will held discussions with Commerce Secretary Rajeev Kher on November 24.
On several occasions, India had raised concerns with the US authorities over high visa fees and discriminatory social security benefits to Indian professionals working in America.
India had also flagged matters related with market access for agri products such as rice, mangoes, pomegranates and table grapes.
New Delhi also wants early conclusion of the Totalisation Agreement. Under this pact an expatriate in either country need not contribute to social security schemes of the host country.
At present, bilateral trade is around $100 billion. The U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) had said bilateral trade could touch $500-billion mark over the next one decade.
India has received about $12.32 billion in FDI from the U.S. companies during April 2000 to August 2014.
Read Also: Mumbai Top Investment Destination Among UAE Based Indians
Indian Aviation Sector Has Positives And Challenges: Experts
Magazine : 
.jpg "Kids Campus International Preschool : Where Every Child's Uniqueness takes Center Stage in Learning & Growth")
.jpg "Radiance Renewables: Driving Sustainable Inno-vation in India's Renewable Energy Landscape")