Amidst the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Abu Dhabi, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized India’s role as a consensus builder. However, he expressed concern over certain nations disrupting this consensus-building process, pointing to India’s commitment to fair play and justice at the WTO.
The ongoing conference, initiated on February 26, aims to deliberate on critical issues like agriculture and fisheries subsidies, dispute settlement, and a moratorium on customs duty for e-commerce trade. Goyal responded to allegations from developed nations, asserting that India is impeding deals within the WTO. He maintained that India consistently acts as a consensus builder, playing a pivotal role in the process, while certain countries disrupt this consensus on specific issues.
Goyal asserted India’s unwavering commitment to principles of fair play and justice at the WTO, emphasizing the importance of decisions aligning with the best interests of Indian farmers and fisher-folk. He highlighted the primary concern of building trust within the WTO, ensuring that decisions made are faithfully adhered to.
The Minister emphasized India’s demand for the restoration of the appellate body (AB) to address unfair trade practices through the dispute resolution mechanism. The AB, the apex institution for dispute adjudication, faced a setback when the US blocked appointments, disrupting the WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism.
Goyal elucidated the two main approaches to settling disputes within the WTO—mutually agreed solutions during bilateral consultations and adjudication through panels and the appellate body. Despite the AB’s non-functionality since December 2019, Goyal underscored the importance of addressing concerns raised by developing countries, particularly related to issues like public stock holding of food.
Expressing opposition to the inclusion of investment facilitation for development (IFD) in the agenda, Goyal, along with South Africa and India, rejected the proposal led by China. He clarified that investment falls outside the WTO mandate, urging that issues beyond the WTO’s scope should be addressed by respective bodies.
In conclusion, Goyal expressed optimism about positive outcomes from the conference, emphasizing the importance of fair, balanced, and equitable decisions that safeguard the interests of farmers, the impoverished, and fishermen.