India’s stand has more backing at WTO now: Nirmala Sitharaman

NEW DELHI: More member-countries are supporting India’s strong stand at WTO, said commerce & industry minister Nirmala Sitharaman, adding that there was better understanding of India’s position.
India had blocked the trade facilitation amendment protocol signing on July 31, standing firm on its demand for a permanent solution to government purchase of foodgrain.

It had seemed isolated, with none of the BRIC countries and most of the G-33 nations unsupportive. "We now have more people understanding India's position... I don't think anyone is irate anymore even if they were earlier," said the minister.

"We would like WTO to address them and I am hopeful. Our expectation is that we get a permanent solution for the public stock holding of food grains. It is important for my national food security," Sitharaman said. India has strongly demanded a deal on permanent solution to public stockpiling issue simultaneously with adoption of the trade facilitation pact. "It is not just for India, but in the interest of many countries which have public stock of food grain. These are issues of sovereign right of a country," said Sitharaman. "The thought must be removed from mind that people think we are isolated", she said.

She added that during her recent visit to China, her counterpart was "able to see where we have come from and what arguments we have placed". Sitharaman said India has put several options on the table and now it was up to the WTO .

On the trade facilitation agreement, which aims to cut red tape, she said India was already taking steps and "with the nation's intent and interest being very pro-trade facilitation, what can be the reservation we have regarding signing of the WTO TFA?"