Mumbai: India has proposed the introduction of common standards for trade in agricultural products with the US and the setting up joint quality laboratories with that country to ensure that both sides have common norms.

Minister of state for food processing industries Subodh Kant Sahay made the proposal at a meeting with US agriculture secretary Mike Johanns under the US-India Agricultural Knowledge Initiative (AKI).

As part of AKI, announced by prime minister Manmohan Singh and US president George W. Bush in July 2005, a world-class technical institute for food processing is also proposed to be set up in India with Cornell University, Sahay said at a press conference.

Sahay said the country was in the process of evolving an integrated food law for setting quality norms for agricultural products in the country in consultation with the US and European countries. Developed countries should adopt uniform standards, which India was ready to follow, he added.

Sahai, who is in the US on an official visit, held discussions with US agriculture secretary Mike Johanns on the AKI besides certain other specific aspects of bilateral relations, including wheat imports.

Johanns had agreed to setting up of separate committee for food processing and larger participation of public and private sector in AKI, Sahay said suggesting a cold chain – a supply chain for perishable goods – too should form part of it.

Asked about progress on the issue of wheat import standards to allow new US wheat sales to India, Sahay said it was mentioned during his meeting with Johanns. But essentially the US has to take the initiative. He said Johanns has given "concrete assurance that all issues related to agriculture are going to be examined."

The minister said the focus of the second green revolution in India is going to be on improving quality and standards in food processing sector.

Sahay''s visit follows Johanns''s India visit last November for the AKI that brings the US and Indian private and public sectors together to work on innovative projects to increase Indian agricultural productivity, help Indian farmers prosper and strengthen trade.