Nov. 24 – India has signed agreements on traditional knowledge, intellectual property and investment promotion with the United States during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s first official state visit to the country.

One of the first agreements signed is a Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TDKL) Access between the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO ) reports Zee News. Another agreement involves a deal between India’s Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce.

The TKDL deal will give the USPTO access to its comprehensive database of India’s traditional knowledge. Moreover, the CSIR will train USPTO staff to maximize the use of TKDL tools for research.

Better cooperation between India and the United States patent offices will allow for comprehensive bilateral cooperation on various intellectual property rights (IPR) issues that include capacity building, human resource development and raising public awareness of  IPR. Another agreement signed during the visit is a Memorandum of Intent to encourage more bilateral investments.

Speaking to the U.S. India Business Council (USIBC), Mr. Singh emphasized the possibilities of American investors to develop infrastructure projects including road, rail, airports and ports: “We see enormous opportunities. All fields are open for economic participation.”