Country to constructively engage at WTO: Shri Nath

01 Aug '08

5 min read

This is much higher than the trigger for the Special Safeguards, which the developed countries themselves have used since the beginning of the Uruguay Round (1995) to protect the commercial interests of their agriculture.

The proposal was considered unacceptable by the broad coalition of developing countries because it would have rendered the SSM virtually inoperable. We have more than 30 crore people living on less than $ 1 a day.

We argued that while India was prepared to be constructive and reasonable, it could simply not accept any solution that would pose a serious threat to the livelihoods of its subsistence farmers When there was a lack of consensus on this issue in the Green Room, which had the Ministers of more than 30 countries present, the matter was referred to a group of seven countries (US, EC, Japan, Australia, Brazil, China, India) by the DG, WTO.

However, despite attempts by the DG, WTO and later on by 6 of the countries (in G7) to work out a solution to the problem, all the proposed solutions were found unacceptable by one major developed country.

Despite all out efforts stretching over a few days, when there was no consensus, the mini-Ministerial had to be halted.

The SSM was not the only issue on which progress could not be made. There were several other important developing country issues like cotton, preference erosion, tropical products, DFQF etc. on which discussions were not held.

The major developed countries also wanted the developing countries to agree to a restrictive anti concentration clause and to take part in Sectorals in the industrial goods area (NAMA).

In recent weeks developed countries started a major campaign for restricting the flexibilities given to developing countries in industrial products through an ambitious 'anti-concentration' clause which was vigorously opposed by most developing countries as infant and vulnerable industries needed to be protected.

As far as Sectorals were concerned, the Hong Kong Ministerial clearly stated that these were non-mandatory. An attempt was made by developed countries to make this mandatory, in violation of the mandate. This was strongly opposed by India and other developing countries.

The coming months, Shri Kamal Nath, said would see attempts at overcoming the current impasse. He reiterated that India stands committed to constructively engage at the WTO to move the Doha Development Round to a successful conclusion.

Press Information Bureau Government of India

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