Apples and shrimp can help sweeten trade deal with US

NITI paper wants a 'give and take' approach that will allow US to lower trade deficit with India

- Vijay C. Roy & Gireesh Chandra Prasad

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.

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.