The US-India business community wants President Barack Obama to address issues like the H-1B visa fee hike and fears about outsourcing of US jobs to India. Ahead of Obama's India visit this week, they have also advocated the lifting of most dual-use export licensing requirements specific to India and batted for making licensing and clearance for defence articles easier for India. At the same time, the report submitted by the US-India Business Council, USIBC in Washington has suggested that India needs to increase the FDI investment cap to 74 per cent to spur greater investment and transfer of technology. It also wants Obama to endorse India for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. The report 'Partners in Prosperity Business, Leading the Way' was released by the USIBC, whose chairman is Terry McGraw, chairman president and CEO of The McHGraw-Hill Companies. The report urged President Obama to call for a renewal of the UN Security Council and the inclusion of India as one of its new permanent members. It added that the measure will galvanise both societies, laying the groundwork for deeper collaboration at every level. With US interest in India at an all-time high, US industry believes that the natural next step is to conceive a Free Trade Agreement especially tailored for India. It also pressed for full and satisfactory implementation of the US-India civil nuclear accord, the successful implementation of which will spur a new era of commerce in high technology.
News On AIR | November 2, 2010 1:58 PM
Endorse India for permanent UNSC seat: USIBC asks Obama