Protectionism would not help India-US relationship: Pranab

WASHINGTON: The Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in his meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton discussed the US decision to hike H-1B visa fees, arguing that protectionism would not strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

Mukherjee and Clinton in their 30-minutes meeting at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department discussed Indian reservations about some US policy developments.

"Protectionism would not help," Mukherjee said, arguing for free flow of trade and money, which he said would benefit everyone.