The Hindu Business Line : India objects to US influence on proposals for WTO meet

GENEVA: India on Friday strongly objected to the US proposing to limit flexibilities of the developing countries on their obligations for market opening agreement being negotiated under Doha Round of WTO.

India's concerns on agriculture and industrial goods were conveyed to Director General of World Trade Organisation Mr Pascal Lamy by Commerce and Industry Minister Mr Kamal Nath, ahead of the crucial mini-Ministerial meeting being convened here from July 21.

About 40 trade ministers are participating in the five-day deliberations to reach a consensus on modalities for concluding the much-delayed negotiating round launched in 2001.

“Flexibilities for developing countries have to be adequate and appropriate for addressing the sensitivities of individual members,” a statement quoting Mr Nath said. The negotiating text on opening the market for industrial goods released on May 19 did not satisfy India which said it had caveats on flexibilities at the instance of the US.

Mr Nath is holding a series of bilateral meetings in the run-up to the mini-Ministerial seeking support for interest of the developing countries. The key players, he is interacting with, include Brazilian Foreign Minister Mr Celso Amorim and Argentina's Secretary of State of Commerce and International Relations Mr Alfredo Chiaradia. - PTI

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