(Image source from: Hindustan Times)

Import duty hike on certain steel and aluminum items and visa restrictions are among the key issues to be flagged by Suresh Prabhu, Commerce and Industry Minister during his meeting with United States Trade Representative and American commerce secretary.

During his five-day visit beginning from June 10, Prabhu will sojourn Washington and New York.

"I have a meeting with USTR and also with their commerce secretary. We will raise the issue of unilateral actions by the US, the recent restrictions put on (movement of professionals) and imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum. We want to make sure that we have a much bigger agenda with the U.S,” Prabhu said in statement.

He said that at every level India is engaging with U.S. as there are huge business opportunities for American companies here.

The minister besides think tanks which influence U.S. decision making would also be meeting private players.

Indians has raised its concerns over visa restrictions by Trump administration on professionals, as ant change in the visa regime may result in higher operational costs and shortage of skilled workers for the USD 110 billion Indian outsourcing industry.

The country as well uttered its disappointment over the U.S, imposition of high import duties of certain steel and aluminum products dragging U.S. in WTO’s dispute settlement system against the decision.

India’s exports of steel and aluminum products to America stood at around USD 1.5 billion every year. India’s exports to U.S. stood at USD 42.21 billion in 2016-17, while imports were USD 22.3 billion.

By Sowmya Sangam