Continuing his on-going interaction with the political parties on WTO-related issues in Delhi on Wednesday, Maran also assured Opposition that India would not agree to the introduction of environmental measures which could be used as protectionist devices and act as barriers to trade.

Among those who participated were Pranab Mukherjee (Congress), E Balanand (CPM), C Chittaranjan (CPI) and Abani Roy (RSP). They said implementation concerns relating to the existing agreements should be emphasied, the sovereign right of nations to determine sectors for foreign investment be upheld and multilateral agreement on investment be opposed.There should be effective lobbying as well as mobilisation of support to protect national interests in critical areas such as TRIPs and agriculture, they added.

Maran said that India would seek issue-based alliances on a quid pro quo basis so as to maximise the gains for the country in sectors of national concern.