Announcing the formation of the group, which comprises legal experts from both countries, Deputy US Trade Representative Karan Bhatia stressed that legal services are integral to today's complex economy.
"Legal services are integral to today's complex, global economy. Indian Commerce Secretary Gopal Pillai and I agreed that establishing a Legal Services Working Group is a priority in our bilateral dialogue," Bhatia said.
Several American firms are already getting back office and research work done in India though lawyers from either country are not currently allowed
to practice in the other.
The United States has a substantial number of Indian American lawyers who have been pressing that they be allowed to argue cases in the Indian courts.
The question is often raised during visits of Indian ministers to the United States who generally stress on reciprocity, which they concede, is a complex and difficult issue to resolve.
Bhatia and Pillai had decided on the formation of the working group during their meeting in New Delhi. During Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Washington, the constitution of such a group was identified as a priority.
The working group comprises representatives of law firms, Bar Council of India and the American Bar Associations also leading legal professionals.
