Indo-US talks to spotlight mkts,infra

US will open a new bilateral economic dialogue with India with a focus on macroeconomic stability.

The US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is visiting India next week to further strengthen economic and financial partnership between the two countries.

Geithner will open a new bilateral economic dialogue with India with a focus on macroeconomic stability,financial markets and infrastructure financing,a senior US Treasury official said on Wednesday.

The official,who will join Geithner in a delegation to India that will also include Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Donald Kohn,said rebalancing the global economy will be a part of the discussions. He declined to say whether the talks would include currency policy.

8220;We don8217;t have a specific wish list,we certainly have views,8221; the official told a news briefing. 8220;We are eager to see India continuing along its path of reform,continuing on a path of contributing to global macro stability,continuing to open its markets. These are all areas where continued success would bring great dividends,not just to the people of India,but the people of the United States.8221;

Geithner will launch the bilateral talks during an April 6-7 visit to Delhi and Mumbai,where he will meet with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee. The talks were announced during Singh8217;s visit to Washington last November.

The discussions complement a strategic dialogue program that the United States shares with China,but will be more limited in scope.

The Treasury official said the discussions will not tackle specific trade barriers and trade policy between the two countries and will not contain a strategic diplomatic component,as the US-China strategic and economic dialogue gained last year.

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For example,there are no discussions planned on the issue of a bilateral civilian nuclear energy pact,the official said.

There will be significant focus on identifying opportunities for US firms to export to India and participating in India8217;s infrastructure development,the official said.

The two sides will also discuss infrastructure financing,with the Treasury offering expertise in helping India develop a municipal bond market,and India sharing experience in private-sector infrastructure development.