According to the US-India Business Council (USIBC), the bilateral trade between India and the USA could reach the $500-billion mark over the next decade. From $25 billion in 2006, the Indo-US trade has risen to $100 billion last year, while defense trade alone received $10 billion in the past ten years.
According to Ajay Banga, Chairman of the USIBC, and CEO of a major credit card firm, the bilateral trade should focus on energy, defense, education and medical car, among others. Adi Godrej, President of the Confederation of Indian Industry, said that there was recognition in the U.S. about the role India can play in the years to come. The increasing involvement of industry members highlights the fact that our business communities can reach higher heights though strategic cooperation and collaboration.
On the $500-billion two-way trade target, Godrej also said “it can be achieved if both the sides commit against protectionism, create enabling frameworks such as the bilateral investment treaty, recognize the value of labor mobility, focus on enhancing services trade, focus on investments and value addition, and definitely get down to industry-level and state level co-operation.”