From Lalit K Jha
Washington, May 14 (PTI) India has cultural and religious concerns on import of dairy products from the United States, a top Obama Administration official has said, adding it is continuing to work with Indian authorities to open up its huge dairy market.
The issue was also taken up by the US during the November visit of the President Barack Obama to India, US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told lawmakers at a Congressional hearing on free trade agreement.
Testifying before the same Congressional committee, the US Trade Representative, Ron Kirk, said the US has tried to engage India at multiple levels in this regard, but nothing seems to have worked so far.
"We have engaged the Indians in every forum, every opportunity - from when the (Indian) Prime Minister was here; I myself have been to India twice; Secretary Vilsack has had his team with us.