AMCHAM organized an interaction with Mr. Brendan Lynch, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asia and the visiting USTR delegation on September 11th, 2024 in New Delhi. Ms. Ranjana Khanna, Director General CEO, AMCHAM introduced the delegation and requested members to share specifics about the overall business climate in India. In her opening remarks, Ms. Jyotsna Ghoshal, Enterprise Lead, Government Affairs & Policy, India, Global Lead, International Forums, Johnson & Johnson, thanked USTR for their efforts in creating positive movement in the IP realm. Members from the medical devices, ICT, electronics manufacturing, pharmaceutical, FMCG, agriculture and food processing, and aerospace and defense sectors participated in the discussion. Some of the main points shared included the overall unpredictability in policies, specific issues around corn and lentils, need for friendshoring, IP challenges across sectors, quality control orders, pre-grant opposition, GTE-PPO List, testing and certification obstacles in multiple sectors, accredited labs, import management system, product linked incentive schemes and the value addition cap on assembly, among others. U.S. industry shared about the extent and value of R&D in India however noted that when calculating the indigenous content for Make in India, it is not considered.

U.S. government participants included Ms. Olya Lutchyn, Deputy Assistant USTR, Ms. Joan Hurst, Deputy Assistant USTR for Agricultural Affairs, Ms. Emily Ashby, Director for South and Central Asis, USTR, Ms. Jillian Deluna, Senior Director for ICT Services and Digital Trade, USTR, Mr. Jonathan Heimer, Honorary National Executive Board Member, AMCHAM and Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs, U.S. Embassy, Mr. Phillip Cummings, Deputy Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs, U.S. Embassy, Mr. Travis Coberly, Unit Chief for Trade and Technology, U.S. Embassy, Ms. Sonia Laul, Trade Development Officer, U.S. Embassy and Mr. Supratim Chatterjee, Economic Specialist, U.S. Embassy.