Nuclear deal opens door for more US export to India: USTR

WASHINGTON: The Indo-US civilian nuclear deal inked between New Delhi and the Washington last year, opens door for more American export to India, an official US report has said.

"The Civil Nuclear Agreement signed on October 10, 2008, opens the door even wider for US exports to help India meet its tremendous energy needs," the report '2009 Trade Policy Agenda and 2008 Annual Report' of the US Trade Representative (USTR) said.

US companies, which played a crucial role in the passage of the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal, expect to receive a considerable chunk of the orders when India starts expanding its new set of nuclear power plants across the country, experts feel.

A high-level delegation of US nuclear companies was in India recently to explore business possibilities.

The USTR in its latest report, however, said many challenges to trade and investment in India persist.

The USTR continued to work with the Indian government to address such concerns as India's tariff and tax regime; intellectual property rights policies, investment climate and regulatory hurdles.

"India continues to limit market access in various sectors through non-tariff barriers such as high border taxes and tariffs, foreign direct investment caps, non-transparent procedures, and discriminatory treatment of imports," it said.