New Delhi, May 26 -- New Delhi: India wants the US to open up more of its lucrative market for Indian fruit and vegetables by lowering its stringent health and safety standards, two people aware of the matter said, as officials from the two countries continued discussing a proposed trade deal.

These restrictions, part of what are called sanitary and phytosanitary regulations, have been responsible for the US customs authorities rejecting shipments from India. They tend to vary vastly from country to country.

India has sought greater market access for its mangoes, pomegranate, litchi, grapes, pineapple, guava, jackfruit, drumstick, green chilli, carrots, bottle gourd and ridge gourd, they said.

Despite high demand for these items. parti...