Latest news with #Keshap
NDTV
8 hours ago
- Business
- NDTV
"Agriculture Issues Most Sensitive": US Ex Envoy To India On Trade Deal
New Delhi: Atul Keshap, president of the United States India Business Council (USIBC), has pointed out that agriculture issues are always the most sensitive issues in any trade negotiation, and the India-US free-trade agreement (FTA) which is expected to be announced anytime now will have to navigate this aspect of the FTA, "no matter what it may look like". The USIBC is dedicated to the growth of commercial ties between the world's two largest democracies. Mr Keshap told NDTV that USIBC and all member companies are cheering, as is the US Chamber of Commerce, over the FTA. "We are hoping for a meaningful trade deal between the world's two greatest democracies. So agriculture will of course be sensitive... This is because farmers occupy an enormously important cultural space in all of our countries," he said. "Look at the Japanese rice farmers, for example. And farming and agriculture hit very close to the home and the heart, and these are also extremely important political constituencies. So of course the trade negotiation with regard to any agricultural issues will be the most sensitive," he added. "However, there is virtue in having these conversations, and I would just add that it's been years since we've last been in a serious trade negotiation. We came close about four or five years ago. I'm hoping that this time we'll bring it over the line," the retired career senior Foreign Service Officer who has also served as Charge d'Affaires at the US embassy in Delhi said. According to him, there is virtue in coming to a reasonable outcome that is good for both countries. The latest FTA is just the first in what could be a series of trade agreements between the US and India. "... I am very hopeful that the negotiators will be able to come to some form of agreement that allows us to create a pathway and a foundation for even more such talks and even more such agreements... This is a very sensitive negotiation. It involves both sides stretching their comfort zones," Mr Keshap said. "It is, I think, extremely important strategically for the United States and India to have a trade agreement, no matter what it may look like. I think that our shared adversaries are watching and hoping that we fail. We cannot fail. "We must succeed. We are compelled by the geostrategic turbulence of the moment to ensure that we send a strong signal to the entire world that the US and India are still working to build their relationship. Indeed, if you look at Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi and President [Donald] Trump's aspiration that we hit $500 billion in bilateral trade, we are far short of the mark. So this deal, I feel, has to happen, and I pray that it will happen, and I think that it'll be the first of many to come," Mr Keshap said. While India is seeking greater market access for its labour-intensive goods, the US wants duty concessions for its agricultural products. These talks are important as the suspension of US reciprocal tariffs is ending on July 9. The two sides are looking at finalising the talks before that.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
U.S.-India ‘mini deal' by July 9 possible but likely ‘symbolic,' say industry leaders
While a mini trade deal between India and the US still seems possible before July 9, such a deal would likely be a 'symbolic one' centred on 'low-hanging fruits', according to industry captains. Such a deal, they added, would be a small beginning in a long journey for the world's largest democracies. According to Atul Keshap, former Ambassador and President of U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC), a business advocacy group that represents companies in the U.S, India, and the Pacific region, a mini trade deal would be a first step in the two countries' longer journey toward achieving the 'Mission 500' target of $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. 'There is great promise in building deeper energy and technology ties, in electronics and IT, which will remain strong pillars of our bilateral trade,'' Mr. Keshap told The Hindu. He further said that clinching an initial agreement would reaffirm the steadfast partnership between the two governments and show both parties were committed to trade as a tool for enhancing economic progress and building new commercial opportunities. Responding to a query on what could prove to be key sticking points, Mr. Keshap said, 'The more trade between two countries, the higher the chances for disagreements over trade policy. In the end, we need a deal that enables the private sectors of both countries to deliver on the promise of free enterprise and entrepreneurship.'' He further said, USIBC believed that there was great promise in building deeper energy and technology ties, in electronics and IT, which would remain strong pillars of our bilateral trade. 'It is very important that both governments discuss and deliberate on what can increase bilateral trade between the two countries,'' he opined. Kami Viswanathan, President of Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa (MEISA), FedEx, also said she was hopeful of seeing a mini deal out by the expected time. 'It's due for some time now, and I hope it comes soon. I hope there will be something happening within the timeline itself. That will do good to businesses, trade, and to both countries,'' she anticipated. Kumar Deep, Country Director-India, Information Technology Industry Council, a Washington DC-based apex body for global tech firms, thought that, 'There is an ever-changing geopolitical situation. We are not sure as to what is going to come out by July 9, will there be a formal trade announcement by that time or not. But it is heartening to see that both governments are closely engaged in having some concrete trade negotiations. That is very positive and earlier we have not seen these energies working towards improving relationships.'' According to Mr. Deep, in the last three months, there have been several delegations visiting New Delhi and Washington. It is a complex deal and the design has to be right for both governments, businesses in both countries and their people, he commented. Shashi Shekhar Vempati, former Chief Executive Officer of Prasar Bharati (DD&AIR) and co-founder of DataDaan, a nationwide programme designed to promote voluntary data sharing for AI model training and innovation, said the fundamentals of both countries were so robust, and historically India and the U.S have been together in many ways. ``It is only a logical extension that we deepen our ties across technology, supply chain and many other areas and minimise barriers. Things are now looking very positive.'' Pradeep Rao, Director and Chief Architect at Kyndryl, a spin-off from IBM, in his individual capacity said, 'A mini deal by July 9, I do think it's technically feasible, especially if it focuses on low-hanging fruit in the technology and digital trade sectors.'' The timeline, however, was indeed tight, and the deal would likely be symbolic, maybe paving the way for a broader framework, he opined. Given the strategic importance of the Indo-U.S. tech corridor — covering everything from AI to semiconductors to cybersecurity — both governments have strong incentives to showcase some tangible progress, said Mr. Rao. The U.S. Chamber has argued against the application of broad-based tariffs, Mr. Keshap said. 'Tariffs are a tax, paid by domestic businesses and consumers, and they undermine growth and productivity.'' The USIBC was also discussing joint investments, co-development of technologies, institutionalising reforms, and building a two-way investment corridor supporting Indian investments in the United States and U.S. investments in India, he said. According to Mr. Rao, American businesses are indeed protesting the tariffs, particularly in the tech and digital hardware sectors. US companies, from cloud service providers to chipmakers, see India as a fast-growing market and R&D hub, but high tariffs on electronics, semiconductors, and ICT infrastructure hurt their competitiveness. ''Nobody likes tariffs in the U.S, everybody wants a bunch of good trade deals and negotiations. We have been vouching for open market access and a level playing field for all our member companies. There could be all kinds of models, in-sourcing, onshoring, or outsourcing, eventually it should make business sense to all,'' said Mr. Deep.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nashville hot chicken joint adding a second location in Pierce County
A chicken franchise that is working on a new site as part of Tacoma Mall's new Village is planning more locations in the area. Dave's Hot Chicken this week announced new leases in Western Washington, including Puyallup, Federal Way and Redmond in addition to its planned Tacoma Mall site, which The News Tribune reported last August. Local entrepreneur Sana Keshap of The Keshap Group is bringing the sites to the area, according to the announcement. Keshap opened her first Dave's in Seattle's Capitol Hill in 2023 and is leading a 10-unit development in the region. The mall restaurant, 4502 Steele St., Suite 1670, and the new Redmond site, 16502 Cleveland St., are set to open this year, while its Puyallup location, 16511 Meridian E., is scheduled to open next year. A fourth location at the Commons in Federal Way has yet to have an official opening date. 'The authenticity behind Dave's immediately drew me to the brand,' Keshap said in a statement. 'We've seen an incredible response since launching in Seattle, and we can't wait to bring Dave's to even more communities in Western Washington.' The LA-based brand specializes in 'Nashville-style' hot chicken. Its menu features hot chicken tenders, sliders and bites with spice levels ranging from 'No Spice' to 'Reaper,' along with sides including kale slaw, mac & cheese and seasoned or cheese fries. The menu also offers shakes and 'Slushers,' frozen fruit drinks. 'We're proud to announce the signing of new leases in the Western Washington area as part of our continued expansion,' said Bill Phelps, CEO of Dave's Hot Chicken.
