New Delhi: Reflecting its concerns over the issue of outsourcing, the United States (US) today (Feb 2, 2004) sought "greater balance and greater liberalisation" on India's part to ensure that US investors have as many opportunities as Indians have in that country.

The US and India also need to work together in the Doha round of WTO (World Trade Organisation) and elsewhere to identify ways to open new markets rather than close those that are already open, US charge d’Affaires Robert O Blake said.

"India can help in this task by accelerating its programme of trade liberalisation and by helping build positive momentum in the Doha round talks and setting ambitious goals for new commitments," he stressed.

The US believed that free trade and open market brought benefits to all countries that commit to them. "But the commitment to and benefits of trade must be reciprocal. To succeed, trade must be a two-way street," he said.

Blake said US trade representative Robert Zoellick would visit India later this month. The outsourcing issue is expected to figure prominently during his parleys with Indian Government.

He underscored the need for "greater balance and greater liberalisation on the part of India so that US investors have as many opportunities here as Indians have in the US", he said.