India took a firm stance on key trade issues at the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization, pushing for reforms while resisting expansion into new areas.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal called for time-bound reform of the WTO, highlighting concerns over the continued paralysis of the dispute settlement mechanism.
India opposed the inclusion of the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) agreement within the WTO framework, arguing it could dilute the organisation's core principles. It also resisted support for extending the moratorium on customs duties on e-commerce.
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New Delhi pushed for consensus on long-pending agriculture issues, including public stockholding for food security and a special safeguard mechanism, particularly in cotton.
India supported efforts to finalise rules to curb harmful fisheries subsidies contributing to overfishing, while emphasising the need to protect small and traditional fishermen.
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It also called for greater technology transfer to developing countries and opposed any dilution of Special and Differential Treatment provisions.
Talks on WTO reform, e-commerce, TRIPS and a package for least developed countries will continue in Geneva.
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