Washington:US CommerceSecretary Carlos Gutierrez will be coming to India next week to meet with seniorofficials and business leaders to discuss ways to promote opportunity andeconomic growth between the two countries.

Gutierrez's visit follows President Bush's historic visit to India last year. The seniorCommerce official of the Bush administration will be in India on February 13 and 14.

"My visit will focus on expanding our bilateral economic relationship andworking to increase US exports to India. I look forward to discussingwith India'sgovernment the opportunities our two nations face as we strengthen ourrelationship and expand upon our economic successes," he said in astatement.

"American companies should be exporting more to India,and Indiashould work with us to make sure American exporters and businesses are treatedfairly," he added.

The Commerce secretary will meet with senior government officials, includingCommerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath. He will also address members of theAmerican Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerceand Industry (FICCI).

The meetings will include discussions on enforcing intellectual propertyrights, reducing red tape for US companies trying to do business in Indiaand the United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act signed byPresident Bush in December 2006.