At his first policy speech since taking over as Ambassador to India, Kenneth Juster, Washington’s envoy to New Delhi said that a number of U.S. companies have reported increasing difficulties in conducting business in the largest market in the region, China. “Accordingly, some companies are downgrading their operations there, while others are looking with great interest at alternative markets. India can seize the strategic opportunity – through trade and investment – to become an alternative hub for U.S. business in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.
Observing that ‘America First‘ and ‘Make in India‘ are not incompatible, he added that investing in each other’s markets will be mutually beneficial. He noted that accelerating the economic and regulatory reform process already begun by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will help ensure that India is seen as an increasingly efficient, transparent and well-regulated market. “This will further promote growth and development. Continued reforms and trade liberalization will also enable Indian products to more readily become part of the global supply chain, thereby accelerating job creation,” Juster stated.
