The G33 group, including India, voices the need for a ‘meaningful outcome’ from MC13 on public stockholding, echoing the interests outlined in a joint proposal backed by over 80 countries.
Confronted with the demands of modern trade, India reinforces the necessity of preserving special treatment for developing members and recognizing their non-trade concerns within agricultural negotiations. It is this blend of stalwart opposition and earnest advocacy that defines India’s participation in the forthcoming trade discourse, as the nation navigates a path to safeguarding its economic and societal interests within the complex multipolar world of international trade.
Non-trade issues like labor and environmental concerns, which India insists should remain outside of WTO’s purview, also emerge as obstacles. India argues that trade barriers, such as the EU’s carbon tax and deforestation regulation, should not masquerade as sustainable development instruments, since these can be debated in alternate forums like the United Nations.
Furthermore, India, amongst others, challenges the ongoing moratorium on customs duties for e-transmissions, a norm since 1998, seeking its termination against the developed nations’ preference for the duty-free digital transmission.
The current status of fisheries subsidies is also on the table, part of which was agreed upon in 2022, aiming for sustainable fishing practices. India calls for a balanced approach where advanced nations, as major historic subsidizers, take more accountability based on the ‘polluter pay principle’.
In agriculture, India’s commitment to farmer welfare and fair market access opposes the inclination of developed nations to cut domestic support and advocate market openness, despite their hefty subsidies to affluent farmers. WTO reforms find India in the advocate’s role for inclusive changes that retain key aspects like special treatment for less developed nations and a functional dispute settlement mechanism.
The current status of fisheries subsidies is also on the table, part of which was agreed upon in 2022, aiming for sustainable fishing practices. India calls for a balanced approach where advanced nations, as major historic subsidizers, take more accountability based on the ‘polluter pay principle’.
Joint Support Initiatives (JSIs) or plurilateral agreements mark another front where India’s stance is in opposition, specifically to the China-led proposal on investment facilitation deemed external to WTO’s mandate by India. The concern is the potential systemic impact on developing nations’ interests within global trade.
India’s agenda is laden with pressing matters. Foremost, the pursuit of a permanent solution to public stockholding for food security, where crops are procured to sustain more than 800 million individuals, butties heads against the limits imposed by WTO’s reference price dated 1986-88. Changes in the food subsidy calculation formula are sought by India, while developed countries view such programs as trade distorters.<\/p>
Joint Support Initiatives (JSIs) or plurilateral agreements mark another front where India’s stance is in opposition, specifically to the China-led proposal on investment facilitation deemed external to WTO’s mandate by India. The concern is the potential systemic impact on developing nations’ interests within global trade.<\/p>
As the World Trade Organisation (WTO) gears up for its 13th ministerial conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi, the Indian delegation, headed by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, prepares to confront pivotal challenges. Beginning on February 26, 2024, amidst the perturbed economic climate posed by varying international conflicts, member countries will discuss issues ranging from global trade norms to investments and food security.
India’s agenda is laden with pressing matters. Foremost, the pursuit of a permanent solution to public stockholding for food security, where crops are procured to sustain more than 800 million individuals, butties heads against the limits imposed by WTO’s reference price dated 1986-88. Changes in the food subsidy calculation formula are sought by India, while developed countries view such programs as trade distorters.
As the World Trade Organisation (WTO) gears up for its 13th ministerial conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi, the Indian delegation, headed by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, prepares to confront pivotal challenges. Beginning on February 26, 2024, amidst the perturbed economic climate posed by varying international conflicts, member countries will discuss issues ranging from global trade norms to investments and food security.