India for mobility of skilled workers with America: Nirupapma Rao

WASHINGTON: India is keen to work on a framework to increase the mobility of skilled workers with the US to tap the full potential of bilateral ties, a top Indian diplomat has said, as she warned against “voices of protectionism” in America. “As India continues on its path of inclusive social and economic development, mobilising the immense creativity and energy of its people, we see the US as an important partner in this journey,” Indian Ambassador to the US Nirupama Rao said. “In this context, it would be benefi cial if we could work also on a framework that would help increase the mobility of high skilled workers across the two countries. In these diffi cult economic times, sometimes we do hear the voices of protectionism,” she said. “We all have stakes in ensuring that such sentiments do not affect the positive trajectory of our engagement keeping the long-term perspective in mind. What we need to promote is a dynamic network of partnerships and underpin them through bilateral investments as well as through technology cooperation,” Rao said. Her remarks came amid US President Barack Obama’s frequent tirade against outsourcing. He has said that US fi rms shipping jobs off shores should be denied tax breaks if manufacturing is to be brought back to America and employment is to be raised. Obama said all tax benefi ts should go to companies that produce jobs inside the country. “As both India and the US work towards becoming truly knowledge societies they are also working together to translate these immense opportunities into practical cooperation....,” she said. “With a strong foundation in place, the two nations are uniquely positioned to pool their talent to address what President Obama’s innovation strategy called the Grand Challenges of the 21st Century,” she said.