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US official comes calling, seeks to boost trade ties

After path-breaking security parleys, United States on Thursday initiated economic dialogue with India in a bid to promote bilateral and regional cooperation and step up efforts in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

US Under secretary for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs Alan P Larson, who arrived in New Delhi on Thursday held wide-ranging discussions with Finance Minsiter Jaswant Singh and senior officials of the Prime Minister's Office on finance, trade, commerce and energy.

"We have a very good start to push forward our economic dialogue," Larson said adding he has handed over a letter from Lawrence B Lindsey, Assistant to US President for economic policies to National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra.

US Under Secretary for Commerce Kenneth Juster and US Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill will be visiting New Delhi next.

Larson, who arrived in Delhi after visiting Afghanistan and Pakistan, said United States was in favour of intensifying regional trade.

"I am very much encouraged and there are so many positive reactions," he said on the outcome of his discussions in New Delhi, Islamabad and Kabul towards this end.

He however admitted that there were "obstacles" in promoting trade between India and Pakistan, which could move forward "step by step"

"I have come here to test the water and I found the water to be much more pleasant," he said.

Larson said it was United States' view that Indo-Pak economic cooperation could move forward only if both sides sat down to find ways to remove obstacles.

The US Under Secretary will be visiting Mumbai on Friday to meet Reserve Bank Governor Bimal Jalan and Indian business community to get the first hand information on the economy and to promote bilateral investment.

Larson said India and United States also has shared interest in the World Trade Organisation on the ongoing negotiations in Geneva on agriculture.

"Agriculture is heart and sole of free trade and for competing in global market, we have to pursue trade liberalisation through phased dismantling of subsidies," he said.

On the use of genetically modified seeds, he said US experience has shown that it had helped in increasing yield, reduced water usage and pesticides and helped in protecting the environment with no adverse effects on health.

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