US Consul-General Kathy Giles-Diaz said on Wednesday that states in eastern India could play a crucial role in decarbonisation, a focus area for the two nations.

“I know that the Bengal government has been committed to decarbonising their public transportation system, particularly through the introduction of electric buses. This is a promising trend.

“There are also efforts underway to develop the necessary EV infrastructure and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles. I also know that pilot projects are on that are evaluating the technical and economic feasibility of deploying electric trucks for both short- and long-haul journeys across India and eastern India particularly,” the Consul General said on Wednesday.

“I see this as an area where East India can serve as a leader,” she said.

She said by the end of the decade, the two-way bilateral trade between the two countries could reach $500 billion from the current $200 billion.

Over 230 investors from India attended the US Investment Summit ‘Select USA’.

Sanjay Budhia, chairman of CII’s national committee on EXIM and managing director of Patton International, said India’s demographic dividend offers a vast market for American products and services, while US’s technological advancements can support Indian manufacturing.