US State Secretary to visit India against the background of the trade war -

Washington: US President Trump announced a decision to target the duty-free imports of Indian goods worth $5.6 billion. It is apparent that the trade dispute between these two countries is on the rise. It is reported that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will be visiting India, in view of this. The US State Department gave this information. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President, Donald Trump will be participating in the G-20 conference in Japan. Two leaders are expected to hold talks on the sidelines of the conference, and it is indicated that the US Secretary of State is visiting India for preparationsof these talks.

President Trump declared that the Generalised System of Preference (GSP) status awarded to India was withdrawn. This will affect the duty-free imports of Indian goods, worth $5.6 billion. The US President took this decision saying that India is not opening its markets to the requisite levels, for the US companies, but the decision came under criticism from some of the US leaders. The US President has adopted a very stern stand against all the trade partner countries, and the United States has delivered a message that India is not an exception.

US Secretary of State will be visiting India at the end of this month.As per indications, efforts to find a solution for the trade dispute will be made during this visit. G-20 conference is scheduled to be held in the Osaka city, in Japan, on 28th and 29th of June. It is likely that Prime Minister Modi and President Trump may hold talks during the conference.

It is claimed the Secretary of State Pompeo is coming to India to make preparations for these discussions. The US State Department informed that the US Secretary of State will hold discussions with the Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar. The US State Department spokesman said that discussions will be held on varied topics, during the meeting.

No other details have been revealed regarding the meeting, but it is strongly being predicted that the trade issues will be on the agenda. The United States does not agree with the Indian position on the purchase of S-400 from Russia and crude oil purchase from Iran. At the same time, the United States is keen on supplying fighter jets to India, and it is demanding that India should not consider any other options. The United States is also trying to secure more opportunities for US companies in the Indian market.

The United States is increasing pressure to get India to accede to these demands. The GPS decision also becomes a part of the same efforts.