India-US Economic Dialogue Meeting begins

New Delhi, Mar 1: A meeting of the India-US Economic Dialogue got underway here today (Mar 1, 2006) to review its progress and discuss the next steps towards strengthening the economic partnership between the two economies.

The dialogue is co-chaired by Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and his US counterpart Allan Hubbard, Director of the US National Economic Council.

Dr Ahluwalia is being assisted by Foreign Secretary Shyam and Mr Hubbard is accompanied at the Dialogue meeting with Ms Josette Shiner, Under Secretary Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs, US Department of State.

The dialogue was established in 2001 to promote India-US bilateral trade and investment and forge closer coordination on the four tracks, trade, commerce, finance and environment, with institutionalised consultation with senior members of the Indian and US business communities who will provide private sector input to the Government-level discussions.

A forum of 10 CEOs from each side was set up under the Economic Dialogue during the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the US in July last year, which has been mandated to develop a roadmap for increased business partnership and cooperation.

The Forum will submit its report to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President George W Bush tomorrow.

UNI