India seeks more exports of Agri-Pharma products

India has called for increase in access to the Chinese market especially for exports of agricultural and pharmaceutical products as well as IT Enabled Services (ITES).

The call was made by Commerce and Industry, and Civil Aviation Minister, Suresh Prabhu, at the 11th meeting of India-China Joint Group on Economic Relations, Trade, Science and Technology held in New Delhi on 26 Mar 2018.

Minister exhorted his Chinese counterpart, Zhong Shan, for greater market access for agricultural products like rapeseed, soyabean, basmati and non-basmati rice, fruits, vegetables and sugar.

He also sought the export of Indian pharmaceutical products as well as IT and IT Enabled Services (ITES) to China.

He urged the Chinese to cooperate tourism and healthcare.

In returned, Zhong Shan welcomed Indian investment in China and promised to address the trade deficit between the two countries.

India is seeking to control widening trade deficit in favour of the Chinese. In 2017, it was US$51.75 billion out of the US$84.44 billion bilateral trade.

The visiting Minister highlighted the important issues discussed in the meeting like two-way trade relations, preparation of an action plan, greater focus on Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and e-dialogue.

Zhong Shan underlined that candid and effective discussions with India on trade relations can serve as the propeller for the growth not only between the two countries but in the entire region. fii-news.com