The Hindu : International / India & World : Indian mangoes reach U.S. market

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Thursday, May 03, 2007
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Indian mangoes reach U.S. market

Emblematic of the relationship between the two countries: Ronen Sen

— Photo: PTI

MANGO DIPLOMACY: Indian Ambassador Ronen Sen (left) and U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab give the `thumbs-up' during a ``Mango Testing Celebration" in Washington on Tuesday. Also seen is U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns.

Washington: Mango diplomacy was in full flow with the arrival of Indian mangoes in the American market after nearly two decades, an event hailed by the United States as an ``important step'' to bolster bilateral trade.

A year after the mango initiative was launched by President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the first consignment of Alphonso and Kesari mangoes that landed here on Tuesday tickled the palate of top American officials, who said it represented more than just a market opening for the fruit.

An excited U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab said: ``The Indian mangoes I enjoyed today represent more than just a market opening for one product.'' During his visit to India in March 2006, Mr. Bush had expressed a keen desire to have Indian mangoes.

The officials said the mango exports signalled the resolve of both sides to forge stronger trade ties and create significant new economic opportunities for the two countries.

``A joyous occasion''

President of the U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) Ron Somers describing the arrival of the `king of fruits' as a joyous occasion said the ``U.S. willingness to purchase Indian mangoes is another important step towards deeper engagement and more robust U.S.-India trade.''

At a press conference at the Indian Embassy where the visiting Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon was present, Ambassador Ronen Sen spoke of the mangoes' issue as a symbolic and substantive move in bilateral relations. Mr. Sen argued it was emblematic of the relationship between the two countries.

Ms. Schwab said: ``The success of the mango initiative signals the determination of both India and the U.S. to forge deeper and stronger trade ties and create significant new economic opportunities for the people of both of our vast countries.'' Several U.S. Government agencies worked intensively with Indian officials on a range of technical issues so that the first shipment of mangoes coincided with the current harvest season. Ms. Schwab visited a successful agricultural business and a subsistence farming community on a visit to India in mid-April that focussed on strategic trade issues with India.

— PTI

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