Washington: The first India-US Strategic and Commercial Dialogue has helped the two countries move towards the goal of making their ties the defining relationship of the 21st century and increase bilateral trade to USD 500 billion, a senior Indian official said.
"Our effort in this discussion was that to look at each and every issues from the perspective of enhancing the relationship," Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary Americas, told reporters at a news conference after the conclusion of strategic and commercial dialogue here.
While there were differences on many well-known issues between the two countries, Kwatra said effort during the talks was essentially to engage in a manner that strengthens the relationship rather than differences holding down the progress of the relationship.
Market access issues, agricultural products and textiles continued to get discussed, he said in response to a question. There was also a broad reference to WTO as well, he said.
The first India-US Strategic and Commercial Dialogue has helped the two countries move towards thier goal of making their ties the defining relationship of the 21st century and increase bilateral trade to USD 500 billion, Kwatra said.
When asked about the quest for economic reforms raised by the Americans, he said the process of reform in India is something that the country does for its progress.
This was not part of bilateral talks, Kwatra said. The move to elevate the US-India-Japan trilateral to ministerial level, he said is part of India's Act East Policy and this is the time that the cooperation between the three countries needs to be taken up at a higher level.
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