New Delhi: The US today (Nov 20) said high tariffs, lower market access and inadequate protection of intellectual property rights in India adversely affect promotion of bilateral trade in hi-technology areas.

"Progress at times has been less than it could be in trade... Tariff and taxes are too high; there is greater need for protection to intellectual property rights (IPRs)," US Under Secretary of Commerce Kenneth Juster said in New Delhi.

Addressing an industry function organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), he said the US was committed to enhancing cooperation with India in high technology areas through greater involvement of private sector, increased access to US goods and controlling proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

He said to create a proper environment for trade, "burden was on Indian shoulders"; the country must reduce Government restrictions and remove non-tariff barriers.

He dismissed India's charges that trade suffered due to sanctions imposed by the US after Pokhran blasts in 1998, saying, "There is a sanctions' hangover with continuing misconceptions about sanctions, which are no longer in effect."

Juster, who is in New Delhi to attend the second Indo-US High Technology Cooperation meeting, said India needs to provide IPR protection to attract investments in high-tech businesses.

It should also fully comply with its World trade Organisation (WTO) commitments, he said, adding with the recent easing of Government controls in India, there has been a 25 per cent increase in US exports here so far this year to $ 4.8 billion.

PTI