India Engages in Bilateral Trade Talks with USA to Boost Trade, Investment, and Agricultural Growth: Minister Ramnath Thakur

Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare  Ramnath Thakur has said that India is actively involved in the discussions on the India-USA Bilateral Trade Agreement. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, the Minister said that it aims at expanding trade and investment and deepening the U.S. -India trade relationship to promote growth that ensures fairness, national security and job creation, especially in labour intensive sector including agricultural products. Mr Thakur said that the ongoing discussions are focussed on how to take an integrated approach to strengthen and deepen bilateral trade by mutually increasing market access, reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers and deepening supply chain integration. The Minister said that further, the livelihood interests of  farmers and requirements of food security have always been paramount for the Government while negotiating trade agreements with  international partners including the U.S.