Apples and shrimp can help sweeten trade deal with US

India should grant more market access to American products that do not hurt Indian farmers—including apples, almonds and pistachios—for a mutually beneficial bilateral trading arrangement, according to a working paper by NITI Aayog.

- Vijay C. Roy & Gireesh Chandra Prasad

NEW DELHI:

In turn, India could benefit from greater long-term market access for its shrimp, fish, rice, tea, coffee and rubber, the paper said as the two countries tried to wrap up a bilateral trade agreement.

The paper supports a 'give and take' approach that will allow the US to lower its trade deficit with India, while also helping India to secure its farm exports.

The paper, co-authored by member Ramesh Chand and senior advisor Raka Saxena, also suggests that India introduce market reforms in the farm sector and work with states in order to improve competitiveness of India's agriculture exports.

"With calibrated give-and-take, India can prevent large-scale disruption, avoid trade conflict and emerge as a more competitive and resilient agri-export economy," said the paper from the federal policy think tank. It clarifies that the authors' views are personal.