On Ministerial Eve, India Stands Alone in Bali

India stands isolated at the Bali Ministerial of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in its efforts to seek safeguards for subsidies poor countries give to their farmers for food security purposes.

Of the key G33 countries, China, an exports-led economy, has not lent vocal support to the India’s position for a Bali package as its interests lie with the G20 proposal on trade facilitation. Pakistan has opposed India’s proposal for subsidies to poor farmers on the grounds that they distort trade in rice. “India exports only basmati for which MSP is not given to farmers,” said official sources. Some support for India has come only from Indonesia.

On Monday, India blamed the rich countries led by the United States for negotiations for a Bali package having hit the wall. India has also accused the rich countries of double standards on the issue of subsidies for farmers.

Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, who leads the 30-member Indian delegation for the Ministerial conference, said in his address to the G33 on Monday: “It is ironic that let alone trying to address this crucial issue, the developed countries demonstrated little appetite even to discuss it”.

He said, “It is unfortunate that even though the G33 has shown flexibility by agreeing to discuss an interim solution, there were efforts to make the solution redundant through elaborate procedural formalities in the name of safeguards against trade distortion and transparency.”