Twitter
Advertisement

India hopes for talks on 'restrictive measures' with US at WTO

US' commitments under the WTO's General Agreement on Trade in Services includes H-1B and L-1 categories of non-immigrants, for which there has been a significant fee hike.

Latest News
article-main
India to have consultations with United States at World Trade Organisation
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

The government on Tuesday announced that it looks forward to the consultations with the United States at the World Trade Organisation scheduled for May 11 and 12.

India added that it hopes that the United States will constructively engage with India to address its concerns regarding recent US measures which impair the ability of both US-based Indian companies and Indian professionals to supply services in the US. The H-1B and L-1 categories of non-immigrants, for which there has been a significant fee hike, correspond with the categories of specialists and intra-corporate transferees, both of which are part of US' commitments under the WTO's General Agreement on Trade in Services.

These are also the same categories that are most extensively used by Indian service suppliers, especially in the IT sector, supplying services in the US. India and the US share a mutually inter-dependent and beneficial relationship in trade in services, which is well-documented. While the US accounts for close to 60% of software exports from India, Indian IT professionals have had a positive role in contributing to the competitiveness of the US economy.

The increasing volume of services trade has contributed to significant economic growth as well as creation of employment opportunities within the US. The situation therefore presents a win-win relationship for both nations.
The US fee hike measures for the H-1B and L-1 categories are not only adversely affecting the competitiveness of India's services industry engaged in the US market, but also creating uncertainties for Indian service suppliers.

They also run counter to the basic principles of a transparent and predictable trading environment, which lies at the very heart of the WTO agreements. India is hopeful that deliberations during the WTO consultations shall be constructive and it would result in removal of these trade restrictive measures.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement