That India is an inevitable option for big nations is evident from the fact that the US Export Assistance Center which is a part of the US Department of Commerce, has invited companies to send representatives on a US trade mission to India later this year.

If things go as planned, both the US and Indian exim counterparts will benefit immensely. I am told that Franklin L. Lavin himself, who is the US Under Secretary for International Trade will lead the delegation and is scheduled to visit the main metros of the country including Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and New Delhi.

This tie-up will help companies by finding opportunities for them, and will also strive for a better trade balance for both the countries.

It is my feeling that small and mid-sized firms in both the nations stand to benefit immensely from this venture. Today India, the world's largest free-market democracy, is a big consumer for several pollution-control equipment, textile machinery and oil and gas field machinery. On the other hand, India has emerged as the inevitable hub for several products including textiles and related products – which even US has acknowledged.

All in all if this India-US business enterprise takes off it will be a win-win situation for the importer-exporters of both the nations – I have not even an iota of doubt in my mind.