India, US discuss WTO related issues ahead of PM Modi visit

New Delhi: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US, a senior American official today met Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman and discussed various issues including India’s stand in the WTO on the food security issue. During the the meeting between Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs Caroline Atkinson and Sitharaman, India reiterated its position on the public stock holding for food security purposes at the World Trade organisation (WTO), sources said. Besides, both the sides also deliberated on matters including intellectual property rights, Totalisation Agreement and visa restrictions, they added. [caption id=“attachment_1265781” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. Getty[/caption] India had decided not to ratify WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), which is dear to the developed world, without any concrete movement in finding a permanent solution. The US had expressed concerns over India’s tough stand in the WTO. India has asked WTO to amend the norms for calculating agriculture subsidies so that the country could continue to procure foodgrains from farmers at minimum support price and sell them to poor at cheaper rates without violating the norms. The current WTO norms limit the value of food subsidies at 10 percent of the total value of food grain production. However, the quantum of subsidy is computed after taking into consideration prices that prevailed two decades ago. Modi is scheduled to visit the US on September 25. Modi, who will be on a six-day visit, is scheduled to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York and address an audience on September 28. India wants early conclusion of the Totalisation Agreement with America. Under this pact an expatriate in either country need not contribute to social security schemes of the host country. The country has also raised concerns over the visa restrictions and US Immigration Bill. The United States Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernisation Bill, 2013 seeks to deny access to visas or place additional visa related restrictions including higher fees. India had already conveyed that these steps are not only discriminatory but also creates an unequal playing field for Indian IT companies. The Bill has not yet been enacted. The bilateral trade between the countries stood at $61.5 billion in 2013—14. PTI