US businesses write to Barack Obama against Indian economic policies

WASHINGTON: Ahead of the India-US Strategic Dialogue in Delhi later this month, as many as 16 major US business associations today sought personal intervention of President Barack Obama against what they alleged as the discriminatory Indian policies against foreign businesses.

"Over the last year, the courts and policymakers in India have engaged in a persistent pattern of discrimination designed to benefit India's business community at the expense of American jobs...

Administrative and court rulings have repeatedly ignored internationally recognised rights - imposing arbitrary marketing restrictions on medical devices and denying, breaking, or revoking patents for nearly a dozen lifesaving medications," said the letter to Obama.

A copy of the letter sent to the US President on June 6 was released to the press.

Alleging that the Indian Government is discriminating against a wide range of US exports, jeopardising domestic jobs, and putting at risk a growing bilateral trading relationship with $60 billion last year, the letter said it is time that New Delhi end discrimination against US exporters and took steps to ensure it is not repeated in the future.

"To achieve this result, we urge the US Government immediately to initiate bilateral engagement at the highest levels and to co-ordinate closely with the European Union and other like-minded economies," the letter said.

Signatories to the letter included the US Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, CropLife America, Telecommunication Industry Association, United States Council for International Business, Emergency Committee for American Trade, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, and American Foundry Association.

"Reversing discrimination and restoring trust would be a win win enabling domestic exporters to further invest in India's future and helping India grow its economy and create opportunities for its people," the letter said.