India seeks greater market access for its goods and services in China

Visiting Chinese Commerce minister Zhong Shan on Monday promised to address trade related issues including a large deficit with India after New Delhi sought greater market access for its agriculture and non-agriculture products and IT-enabled services in the neighbouring country.

"Chinese Minister Zhong Shan welcomed Indian investment in China and promised to address the trade deficit between the two countries," commerce ministry said in a statement after India-China Joint Group on Economic Relations, Trade, Science and Technology here.

During the meeting, Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu had asked his Chinese counterpart for greater market access for agricultural products like rapeseed, soyabean, basmati and non-basmati rice, fruits, vegetables and sugar.

"Another commodity which could be exported from India to China is the high quality pharmaceutical products. Export of India's IT and IT-enabled services (ITeS) to China and cooperation in the sectors of tourism and healthcare needs to be focused on," he said.

The minister highlighted the important issues discussed in the meeting like two-way trade relations, preparation of an action plan, greater focus on regional comprehensive economic partnership (RCEP) and e-dialogue.

India, China bilateral trade reached $71.45 billion in 2016-17 but most of it is tilted in Chinese favour.