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India and the United States have established a new working group to build sustainable supply chains and boost bilateral trade, the governments said in a joint statement on Thursday.

The working group will initially focus on trade facilitation, digitization of customs procedures, issues related to sustainable finance and the scaling up of innovative clean technologies, according to the statement issued after a Trade Policy Forum meeting in Washington D.C.

At a meeting co-chaired by India’s trade minister, Piyush Goyal, and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, the countries also agreed to continue close monitoring of visa issues and increase dialogue on food and agricultural trade issues in 2023.

The United States will also consider India’s interest in the restoration of beneficiary status under the U.S. generalised system of preferences program, the statement added.

The Trade Policy Forum, revived in 2021 after a gap for four years, will reconvene on a ministerial level before the end of 2023.

The two countries said they mean to continue to work together on resolving outstanding trade issues.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-India Business Council, Atul Keshap said, “Waiting for all-or-nothing comprehensive agreements will only slow our shared goal of achieving a $500 billion trade relationship.” 

Goyal also said the two countries are looking at larger bilateral footprints for trade and investments than mini deals, with a focus on greater market access and ease of doing business.

U.S. companies are also looking to invest more in India, he added.

Goyal stated, “U.S. companies have ambitious plans and are looking to invest large capital and bring technology to India.”