US commerce secretary to visit India to push American exports

US commerce secretary Carlos Gutierrez will visit India next week to hold talks with government and business leaders on pushing up American exports. He says his visit would focus on expanding bilateral economic relationship and working to increase US exports to India.

The United States is India''s largest trading partner.

According to Gutierrez US firms should be exporting more to India, and "India should work with us to make sure American exporters and businesses are treated fairly."

The commerce secretary will meet with government officials, including commerce and industry minister Kamal Nath, and will address the American Chamber of Commerce and FICCI.

Among the issues on his agenda are discussions on enforcing intellectual property rights, reducing red tape for US companies trying to do business in India and the United States-India civilian nuclear deal signed by President George W Bush in December 2006.

Last year, US under secretary for international trade frank Lavin had led the largest US government business development mission in history to India to explore export opportunities.