Describing India as a friend "critical to America's success", a leading US presidential aspirant

RELATED ARTICLES RIM launches BlackBerry Curve 9320 in India India a safe investment destination:Moily Goldman Sachs, BofA-ML cut India GDP forecast Toyota denies plan for $6,000 cars in India India Q4 GDP seen slowing to 6 per cent: StanChart

has underlined the need for Washington to immediately start discussion with it on a bilateral free trade pact.

"Washington must also immediately start discussions with India to end in a bilateral free trade agreement strengthening our relationship with a friend who will prove to be critical to America’s success in the 21st century," said Republican presidential aspirant Jon Huntsman.

A former governor of Utah, Huntsman served the first two years of the Obama administration as top American diplomat to China.

"It is in the strategic interest of the United States to reach trade agreements with the world’s largest economies that share our values," he said in a major policy speech on “job plan” in the country.

Huntsman came out with a number of proposals to boost American economy and creation of employment in the country. His 12-page outline called for pursuing new trade opportunities, particularly across the Pacific, among his key proposals.

"Thus, the United States should take the lead in initiating free trade agreements with Japan, India and Taiwan, among others. We must begin to send a message to the world that we will once again lead on trade liberalization," the proposal said.

Although discussions have stalled, the US should urge completion of the multi-lateral negotiations aimed at promoting free trade between nations of varying prosperity, which will benefit both developed and developing nations, Huntsman said in his proposal.

Huntsman formally entered the race for the Republican presidential nomination on June 21, 2011, announcing his bid in a speech at Liberty State Park in New Jersey.