Kirk for stronger Indo-U.S. economic ties

NEW DELHI, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- The United States wants India to be among its top 10 trading partners, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said in New Delhi.

"We want India to be among the top 10 trading partners of the U.S. from the present 17th position," Kirk told reporters Monday. "We look for improvement in the healthcare, education, information technology and environmental systems."

Kirk said the United States has sought greater access to financial services, goods and services areas, The Hindu newspaper reported. He said the United States would like to see improvement and openness in the investment environment for U.S. businesses in India.

Kirk, in talks with Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma at the U.S.-India trade forum, said there would also be efforts to liberalize U.S. visa regulations for Indian professionals, the Economic Times reported.

"We have decided to work on a framework on cooperation on trade and investment and two agreements on intellectual property cooperation and on traditional knowledge digital library," Sharma told reporters.

The report said U.S. demands included opening Indian markets for U.S. pistachios and reducing tariffs on U.S.-made Harley Davidson motorcycles. Kirk was quoted as saying "only one Harley Davidson has been imported by India so far."

Bilateral trade between the two countries totaled more than $43 billion in 2008.