“They wanted data on social security. We have given them data on EPFO, NPS and ESIC schemes. There are issues around totalisation,” said an official.
This assumes significance as India has already refused a Double Contribution Treaty with the UK in case of intra-corporate transfers.
“At present, temporary employees don’t get benefits in either of the countries and their savings get forfeited. We say don’t take money from the employees in the UK but let them continue with their social security in India,” the official said.
With the US, India will also take up issues related to H1, E1 and E2 visas taking too long.
“We took these up in the last TPF also,” the official said.The US is India’s largest trading partner with exports worth $44.47 billion in April-October FY24 and imports from Washington at $24.87 billion.Issues related to faster inspections of India’s pharma products and expedited approvals by the US are also on India’s agenda for the forum for which United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai is visiting India from January 12-14.
While the two sides have resolved their seven disputes at the World Trade Organization, the official said that it is an “ongoing exercise” for steel exports to the US under Section 232 of a 1962 act that allows the president to restrict imports. Concerned about its marine exports to the US getting impacted, New Delhi is also likely to raise the issue of Washington yet to approve certain fishing nets that exclude turtles while catching fish and shrimp. and easier market access for its mangoes and table grapes.
