U.S. Body Launches Anti-India Campaign Ahead of Manmohan Singh's Visit

Washington: An apex body of American manufacturers has launched a massive anti-India campaign just ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's United States visit, protesting India's allegedly discriminatory trade practices.

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is launching digital and print advertisements in New York and Washington, in major publications like POLITICO, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Financial Times, Roll Call and The Hill.

"Manufacturers and Congress Agree: India must play fair on trade," one of the advertisements said. The total amount being spent by NAM on this campaign is not clear.

"At a time when Washington can't agree on much, there is overwhelming bipartisan opposition to India's discriminatory trade practises, with over 170 house members and 40 recently signing letters urging Secretary (John) Kerry to take action," NAM said in statement.

The move comes after a series of campaign urging the Obama administration to press India on addressing concerns over several Indian trade and business policies.

Singh is scheduled to meet U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House during which economic issues are expected to be a major topics of discussion, according to White House officials.