New York, May 10: : India and the United States have agreed to resolve the divisive issues for an early conclusion of the Doha round of trade negotiations.

It would send a "strong message" of global unity and resolve in the face of increasing uncertainties in world economy due to rising food and energy prices and turmoil in financial markets in several countries, an official statement issued on Friday on the talks between Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath with United States Trade Representative Susan Schwab said.

In the meeting, which was held on Thursday, they have decided to begin technical work to bring about consensus on the divisive issues among the members of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the statement said.

During the talks, Nath told Schwab that India would not accept any constraints or restrictions on its ability to provide assistance to its poor fishermen as it is a question of their livelihood.

The Agriculture negotiation, they agreed, pose the greatest challenges as they involve complex issues of subsidies and sensitivities on market access, especially in developing countries, in relation to food security and livelihood concerns of poor farmers.

Similarly, the proposal to incorporate disclosure of use of genetic material and/or traditional knowledge on patent applications is a critical development issue which has the support of the majority of WTO members and would need to be addressed, Nath told Schwab.

Reduction of subsidies and agreement on a disciplined regime to guide such subsidies in future are some of the key issues still to be resolved in the negotiations.

During the discussions, Nath emphasized that these issues were at the heart of the development dimension of the Round and would need to be addressed "ambitiously," the statement said, adding that India and the US agreed to work together to build consensus on these issues consistent with their mandate.

They also agreed that in view of the increasing importance of services in contributing to economic growth and employment, an "ambitious outcome" in this sector is essential. Without such a clear signal on services it would be difficult to manage any progress.