NEW DELHI: The Outsourcing debate should not become an India debate - this was impressed at the meetings that the CII had with the US officials, Senators and Congressmen during the recently concluded CII Mission to the US. This was stated by the CII President Sunil Bharti Mittal. The CII President Sunil Bharti Mittal was briefing the press on the recently concluded CII CEOs delegation to the US and the issues discussed.

The CII delegation raised three critical issues during the Mission: Outsourcing, based on the recent H1B visa debate; the Indo- US Civil Nuclear Agreement and; the Doha Round. On the issue of Outsourcing, CII President said that according to CII estimates, there will be 17 million requirement of IT/ knowledge professionals by the US and this can be best served by India. "In fact the Indian professionals are adding competitiveness to the US industry", Mittal added.

This is a "Partnership for competitiveness" explained the CII President. CII also highlighted the fact that most of manufacturing industry has moved to China and is feeding US consumption patterns today. Agreeing to the fact that this could still become an election issue on the US, CII President said that the fear of the US on 'loss of jobs' is palpable and there were clear undercurrents regarding this. The CII delegation has presented the 'India case' strongly to address this concern, and we need to continue to do so with more data, he added.

On the Doha Round, CII President said that the delegation impressed on the US side that the thrust should continue on the Doha Round. He said that there was a consistent message from US side for Indian leadership to conclude agreement.In turn, the CII delegation raised two critical issues relating to WTO - Agriculture and movement of persons.

The CII advised the US side on the Agriculture situation. There are almost 600 million plus people dependent on Agriculture, most farmers are at subsistence farming levels, and the share of Agriculture in India's GDP is low at 17%. India needs to inject technology in agriculture and invited the US companies to invest in India's agriculture sector. It also urged the US to cut subsidies in agriculture and impress upon EU counties to follow suit. Mittal added that the political compulsions on both sides were duly noted."CII also raised the issue of Movement of persons, which is a major issue for India and must be resolved" said Mittal. Many US MNCs are setting up operations and offices in India, and would be hiring more people.

Therefore, there should not be restrictions on H1B visas. "In fact the Indian Knowledge professionals are firing up US research; their movement should be eased", CII President added. There were clear undercurrents, President, CII noted. On the Indo- US Civil Nuclear Agreement, CII President said that there was mutual agreement on priority for conclusion of the Civil Nuclear Agreement. The Agreement would help India's energy requirements and facilitate large flows of investments from both countries.Highlighting the discussions on Climate Change, CII President said the G8 should set out only a clear road map on reducing greenhouse gases by the developed world. He said that India is committed to reduce greenhouse gases.

During the US Mission, the CII President briefed 120 plus Indian Americans, Financial sector CEOs, business executives, CEOs of US - MNCs and Think Tank leaders on India's economic situation with 9.4% GDP growth, the few pending reforms,