Indo-US ties can be more ambitious; need to vie for frictionless relationship: US Ambassador

There is a need to have a more ambitious approach towards Indo-US bilateral relations, said US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, said at the 20th Indo-US Economic Summit organized by Indo-American Chamber of Commerce.

Addressing the summit, the ambassador said that both sides should strive for moving towards a frictionless bilateral relationship.
The theme of the 20th Indo-US Economic Summit is ‘Sharing ideas and potential for a sustainable partnership between India and the US for the next 25 years’.
“The goal that we should be setting for each other is that how can we be more ambitious. Not just settle for another deal, not just settle for as we have done in the last few months bringing the down the retaliatory tariffs and trade disputes between our countries. That’s not good enough. I think we need to close our eyes and dream of what this relationship can be like, even more than we would imagine today. How can we create a frictionless relationship?” Mr. Garcetti said.
Lauding the recently concluded G20 Summit in New Delhi, he said that India has demonstrated its global leadership through the “most successful G20 in the history of the organisation”.
Noting that there is need for doing away even the smallest of friction between the two countries in terms of trades, the Ambassador called for reduction of tariffs and creation of more predictable regulatory environment.
He also pitched for a robust agriculture trade between India and the US.
“This is a great agricultural country and so is the United States. We want India to be one of our top three markets in the world. Here, the productivity in dairy and other areas has leveled off. Some of the work we could do for instance to sell feed grains to India, increase the prosperity of Indian farmer, help him or her sell more milk in the market, at the same time have a win-win situation. That could result in more exports from India as it accepts more imports from America.”
Mr. Garcetti also congratulated India on the successful landing of Vikram lander from Chadrayaan 3 on the southern pole of Moon and said that both the countries are now looking at partnerships in commercial space segment. He also stressed on sharing of technology and co-development of technologies in sectors such as defence, in which India and the US already have strong ties.
Dr. Lalit Bhasin, Summit Chair & National President, IACC, said: “Our partnership has come a long way from being hesitant allies during the cold war to become indispensable partners in the 21st century. The Indo-US bilateral relationship is a beacon of hope demonstrating the remarkable potential that can be unlocked through cooperation, dialogue and shared aspirations.”
“We have unshakable and everlasting bonding between the US and India as we adhere to principles of trust and respect for sovereignty of countries around the world,” Dr. Bhasin added.
Dr. Upasana Arora, Regional President, IACC said that India and the US have been at the forefront of the ever evolving global landscape, making remarkable strides in innovation and trade over the years. Mr. Arun Karna, Regional Vice President, IACC, NIC was of the view that over the years the bilateral partnership has evolved and now it stands as a threshold of a new era characterized by sustainable development and global leadership.
The day long summit would feature discussions on defence & aviation, healthcare, IT & ITeS, agro & food processing and infrastructure, road transport & highways.