New Delhi: India on Monday asked China to give it greater market access for export of services, agricultural and pharmaceutical products to bridge the high trade deficit.
Minister of commerce industry Suresh Prabhu and visiting Chinese minister of Commerce Zhong Shan, co-chaired the 11th meeting of India-China Joint Group on Economic Relations, Trade, Science and Technology here.
Mr Prabhu said that trade imbalance with China is the most important issue to be taken up by the group. He exhorted his Chinese counterpart for greater market access for agricultural products including rapeseed, soyabean, basmati and non-basmati rice, fruits, vegetables and sugar.
The minister said that another commodity which could be exported from India to China is the high quality pharmaceutical products. He said that export of India’s IT and ITeS to China and co-operation in the sectors of tourism and healthcare needs to be focused on.
Chinese minister Mr Shan welcomed Indian investment in China and promised to address the trade deficit between the two countries, said a statement by commerce ministry. Mr Shan said that candid and effective discussions with India on trade relations can serve as the propeller for the growth not only between the two countries but in the entire region.
Both the sides deliberated upon ways to boost two-way trade, preparation of an action plan, greater focus on Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and e-dialogue.
