India opposes inclusion of non-trade topics at WTO MC13

The 13th MinisteThe rial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) began in Abu Dhabi on Monday, with India opposing fragmentation of multilateral trading system and inclusion of non-trade topics at WTO MC13 and pushing for WTO backing for developing nations to overcome industrialization-era constraints led by Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal.

- NIVEDITA MUKHERJEE

Two countries - Comoros and Timor Leste acceded to the WTO on the opening day. India had been supporting these accessions and welcomed the expansion of the organization.

The WTO will be completing 30 years of its establishment next year. Two ministerial discussion sessions were organized on the opening day allowing ministers to exchange views on the future direction the organization should take.

In the session on sustainable development and policy space for industrialization, India highlighted the need for avoiding fragmentation of the multilateral trading system and the importance of remaining focused rather than mix nontrade issues with the WTO agenda. India explained that it has put forward and propagated a sustainable way of living based on traditions and values of conservation and moderation including through a mass movement for LiFE- "Life Style for Environment" as a key to combating climate change. It also expressed serious concerns regarding the increasing use of trade protectionist unilateral measures, which are sought to be justified in the guise of environmental protection.

India asserted that the developing countries seek appropriate policy space to find solutions to their concerns, some of which have been unaddressed for a long time. India said that it was of the firm view that developing countries require flexibility in the existing WTO agreements to overcome the constraints faced by them in their industrialization.