A high level inter-ministerial meeting was also held on Tuesday where thecountry's strategy for the Seattle Round was discussed.

Vajpayee also said that he had asked other developing countries during theCommonwealth heads of state meeting in Durban to come together and evolve ajoint strategy against the pressure of the developed world on the issue ofsubsidies.

"We have given a message at Durban that we will not bend under the pressureof the developed countries," the Prime Minister said. He also said Indiawould take the lead on behalf of the developing countries at Seattle.

Sources added that while Vajpayee acknowledged that there was substantialpressure from the developed world on India to soften its stand on themultilateral trading system, he was emphatic that national interests will beprotected.

While India has to participate irrespective of its differences of opinion ona variety of issues, sources added that the Prime Minister was concernedabout protecting the country's national interest. Vajpayee said that theissues and the Government's stand on them will be taken to the people. ThePrime Minister also met senior leaders of the Akhil Bharatiya VidyarthiParishad, the youth wing of Rashtriya Swayemsevak Sangh (RSS) during theday.

Meanwhile, BJP has said it was preparing a paper enumerating its stand atthe Seattle Round. "Our economic affairs cell is preparing a paper for theGovernment", party general secretary KN Govindacharya said. Asked ifGovernment would convene an all-party meeting on the issue, he said therewas no need for it as the commerce ministry was very active. He said effortsshould be made to protect the country's interests and `optimise' thebenefits to be gained from the multilateral trading system.

The World Trade Organisation replaces the General Agreement on Tariffs andTrade (GATT), which was in existence from 1948 to 1994. Following itsestablishment in 1995, the WTO has become the principal institutionalfoundation of multilateral trading system.