India defends ‘development dimension’ at WTO

At a recent informal gathering of select trade ministers in Paris, India has emphasised that it “cannot agree to any approach which undermines the centrality of the development dimension in the WTO”. India’s view was seconded by the ACP (Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific) group, the biggest coalition of developing and poorest countries.

This is a strong position against the stand taken by the US & its allies, who are staunch supporters of launching a differentiation policy to deny the special flexibilities meted out to developing countries like India. On the other hand, India sees such a move as “divisive” and has also warned against the US-Australia proposal to cap fisheries subsidies at the current level.