India and the US are natural partners, says Verma
American Ambassador Richard Rahul Verma is confident that the India-US relationship will touch new heights in the days ahead under the incoming President Joe Biden administration.
“I had the privilege of working with President-elect Joe Biden for 21 years and I am optimistic that India-US relationship will touch new heights in the days ahead under his leadership and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. They are great leaders and fully aware of the criticality of this partnership,” said Amb. Verma at the FICCI 93 Annual Convention on 11 Dec 2020.
India-US relations have grown steadily over the years. There is bipartisan support for strong India-US ties in the US. It might be an often-repeated phrase, but it is true, India and the US are ‘natural partners’, he said.
The relationship is based on shared democratic values and increasing convergence of interests on bilateral, regional, and global issues, said Ambassador, who served in India 2014-17, told the virtual session on India-US strategic partnership at the convention, themed “Inspired India”.
“There is a tremendous potential of what India and US can achieve together, not just good for each other but for the entire world,” added FICCI President Dr. Sangita Reddy during the session.
“Today India and the US engage in numerous strategic consultations, wide-ranging defence, counterterrorism, homeland security, cybersecurity, and intelligence cooperation, as well as numerous activities in energy, education, science and technology, healthcare, and culture,” said Dr Reddy, who is also Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group.
No other country except India has been designated as a major defense partner of the United States, she pointed out.
In terms of opportunities, the energy sector has huge potential, high tech, innovation & technology transfer, and lots of different areas.
On the healthcare front, the partnership is critically important for COVID 19 vaccine development. There has been a growing strategic convergence in the Indo-Pacific region too.
“Even as our relationship is achieving new heights, there are issues of market access, tariffs, e-commerce policy or data localization requirements for the US,” Dr. Reddy acknowledged.
For India, section-232 tariffs, H1B visa policy, GSP withdrawal and totalization agreement are of importance. To solve these, there is a need for broader dialogue and comprehensive solutions. There is a strong need to connect strategic and economic ties to further develop the trade relations and design a structure for BIT, FTA & big commercial agreement, said Dr. Reddy.
“Yet both the countries are eager to work together to pursue a shared vision not only on the bilateral relationship but also at the multilateral level.” #investment #trade #exports #tariffs /fiinews.com
