In what can be deemed as an act to lessen the impact of US Tariff leaders from India are looking to build new ties through agriculture and trade. Prakash Gupta, the consul general of India based in Seattle, is in Sioux Falls this week for the Midwest Agricultural Export Summit. As per the consul general of India, Prakash Gupta India is hoping for the big potential in partnering with South Dakota — especially in ag tech- and plans to bring Indian goods like mangoes and coffee to the region. Gupta is also pushing for a South Dakota trade mission to visit India soon. Despite high tariffs, he’s optimistic about the future of U.S.-India trade talks.
“Showcasing the opportunities that India offers to South Dakota, hoping that as soon as possible we can get a trade mission from South Dakota to visit India,” said Prakash Gupta. Mr. Gupta also stressed on bringing popular goods to the region for which South Dakotans have to look beyond their state’s borders. “In the ag space itself, we would like to bring in some nice Indian coffee to South Dakota,” Gupta said. “We would like to bring in some Indian mangoes.” However, Gupta doesn’t share his frustration or alarm over the 50% US Tariff imposed on Indian goods. “I am very confident that the negotiators of the two sides who are leading the trade talks would do both their countries the desired outcomes that are needed in terms of meeting a minimum common ground,” Gupta said.