16 January 2024, Mumbai
Seeks Smoother Visa Process for Business Travelers
At the recent India-US Trade Policy Forum meeting, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal made a strong appeal to US Trade Representative Katherine Tai to reinstate the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) status for India, which was revoked by the Trump administration in 2019.
Spotlight
Highlighting India's position as the program's largest beneficiary, Goyal emphasized that duty-free exports under GSP amounted to $5.7 billion in 2017, benefitting nearly 1,900 products, particularly in engineering, chemicals, and textiles.
Much more
Beyond GSP, Goyal underlined the advantages of the vibrant bilateral and technological partnership between the two nations, facilitating the flow of professionals, skilled workers, students, investors, and business visitors.
However, he expressed concerns regarding the lengthy visa processing times faced by Indian business travelers, urging Tai to expedite and simplify the process.
Looking ahead
Both sides identified key areas for enhanced collaboration, including critical minerals, customs and trade facilitation, supply chain resilience, and high-tech trade.
This signals a clear commitment to strengthening the multifaceted economic relationship between India and the United States.
This rewritten headline and summary capture the key points of the original text while keeping it concise and informative. It also emphasizes the Indian perspective and priorities in the meeting.
Summary:
Goyal seeks GSP revival, smoother visas in upbeat talks with Tai. Focus on minerals, tech, supply chains.
