New Delhi, Dec 18 (KNN) The statement made by the Office of the US Trade Representative on the Out-of-Cycle Review of India, acknowledged India’s efforts and urges India to further strengthen and deepen our bilateral engagement on IP issues in the coming months.

 “Over the last few months, there have been multiple engagements with Government of India officials at the staff and senior levels on the broad range of issues of concern to the United States and to US stakeholders.  India has made useful commitments in recent months, including institutionalise high-level engagement on IP issues, to pursue a specific work program and to deepen cooperation and information exchange with the United States on IP-related issues under the U.S.-India Trade Policy Forum”, said an official statement.

This statement was made in accordance with the announcement made by USTR in the 2014 Special 301 report published in April 2014 that US would initiate an Out-of-Cycle review (OCR) of India in the fall of 2014 to evaluate progress toward achieving meaningful, sustained and effective engagement on IP issues with India.

It said the US noted these steps and urged India to further strengthen and deepen their bilateral engagement on IP issues in the coming months and beyond. 

“We welcome the opportunity to implement fully the agreed 2015 work plan on intellectual property as well as each of the IP-related commitments announced as part of the November 2014 Trade Policy Forum.  As this OCR comes to a close, the United States looks forward to the 2015 Special 301 Review process, which will provide the next formal opportunity for a thorough review of India’s environment for IP protection and enforcement, including progress made on recent IP-related commitments and on engagement through the agreed work plan,” it said. (KNN TR)