Any attempt to change the trade opening proposals for which a consensus was reached in 2008 could impact the speedy conclusion of the Doha Round, commerce minister Anand Sharma said. In a meeting with the director-general of WTO Pascal Lamy and key negotiators from other countries, Sharma stressed on the importance of a speedy conclusion of the Doha stalemate.

In his interaction with the trade press in Geneva, Sharma said he pushed with the trade envoys to make for greater progress in the Doha Round, urging for a ?fair, balanced and ambitious? final outcome body because it would be in the interest of ?almost all countries to take this progress to an early conclusion.? The minister said that he found a common interest in bringing the Doha Round to a conclusion to benefit the world economy.

Sharma expressed satisfaction at the progress made in the negotiating groups where ?substance? is being discussed, but is worried at the concern amongst member countries about non-tariff and protectionist barriers. He called for the need to bring them down.

Gaps in differences need to be closed and issues should not be revisited. The minister said that India was very clear about the NAMA text, where the sectorals are voluntary and not mandatory. Countries will decide on the sectorals according to their needs. He said that it however does not mean ?that there will be no engagement. I have said there should be incremental growth in a spirit of accommodation. There will be very clear and specific understandings when the end-game is announced.?

On being asked as to whether the Americans have specified what they want for the completion of the Round as they are the odd country out, Sharma replied that he expects there will be more adjustment in the Final Round, for ?If there is give and take it should be from both sides. And we have not reached that stage ? in the centrality of the issues.?

On how the US, without whom there cannot be an agreement, can come on board, particularly as Congress has not authorised any Trade Negotiating Authority since it relapsed, Anand Sharma insisted that ?the U.S. is the world`s largest economy, and is expected to engage with all countries.?

Defending his earlier statement that the case filed by India in the WTO against the EU on the seizure at European ports by customs authorities of genuine generic medicines shipped to Brazil and other developing countries would not be pursued, Anand Sharna saidthat he was assured by Karel De Gucht the EU Trade Commissioner that ?the EU notification will be amended to plug the loopholes?. India did not want any confrontation and was taking the EU Commissioner at his word.

Asked by the Financial Express as to what guarantee did India have that these seizures would not happen again, as the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) between 11 nations (particularly the EU and the US) could some to a close by the year`s end and therefore this current assurance by the EU Trade Commissioner would be nullified by the ACTA accord, India`s Commerce Minister replied that ?ACTA is outside the WTO. Countries that are signatory to that ambit have to work within these rules. Indian generics have to work within the rules. Any move for a backdoor entry will not be acceptable to the majority of the WTO membership.?

Sharma also said in case India finds it necessary it will invoke compulsory licensing for medicines, and that to ensure discussion it has come out with a policy paper on this subject.

In an exclusive to the FE, Minister Anand Sharma spoke about his satisfaction as to the progress made in the EU-India FTA negotiations.