Despite the reservations of developed countries, India will pitch for the conclusion of the Doha Round, permanent solution to the food security issue and protection to farmers from sudden surge in imports in the meeting of the WTO at Nairobi later this month, commerce secretary Rita Teaotia said on Thursday.
Teaotia said while developed countries want to “stonewall” such issues which are already on the negotiation table and want to expand the mandate and introduce new ones, India would focus on four main issues, including stock-piling for food security, at the WTO’s Ministerial Conference to be held in Nairobi from December 15-18. “What we are looking at Nairobi are…the Doha Round must not be abandoned at Nairobi. Its true that we have rough patches, there are difficulties. But it is inevitable in a body as large as this…What we would look for is to consolidate what we have achieved so far and then move forward. “The other issue is permanent solution on public stock-holding for food security. This is an issue which large number of countries have an interest,” she said.
