India, US to expand cooperation in Agriculture

New Delhi, Mar 2 (UNI) India and the United States today agreed to expand cooperation in agriculture, a measure that will will open the US market to India's agricultural produces , incuding mangoes, and spur research in many related areas.

In a Joint Statement issued after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President George Bush had talks on wide ranging issues, both the countries agreed to launch a Knowledge Initiative on Agriculture with a three-year financial commitment to link universities, technical institutions, and businesses to support agriculture education, joint research, and capacity building projects including in the area of biotechnology.

The Statement endorsed an agreed workplan to promote bilateral trade in agriculture through agreements that lay out a path to open the US market to Indian mangoes, recognise India as having the authority to certify that shipments of Indian products to the United States meet USDA organic standards.

It seeks to provide for discussions on current regulations affecting trade in fresh fruits and vegetables, poultry dairy and almonds.

Both the countries reaffirmed their shared commitment to complete the WTO Doha Development Agenda before the end of this year, and agreed to work together to help achieve this outcome.

UNI SH AK DB1817