India
Proposes Guiding Principles for WTO Plurilateral Initiatives
·
India has circulated a communication at
the WTO General Council proposing guiding principles and
safeguards for plurilateral initiatives and agreements within the WTO
framework.
·
India stresses that plurilateral
initiatives should complement, not replace, the multilateral trading system.
·
The proposal highlights concerns over weakened trust, unfulfilled mandates,
limited progress on developing-country issues, lack of inclusivity and
inadequate implementation of Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT).
·
India calls for a common
understanding of legal and institutional safeguards to protect the
integrity of the WTO framework.
·
The proposed principles include:
o Preserving
consensus-based decision-making and the sovereign
equality of WTO Members.
o Maintaining
the multilateral character of the WTO and avoiding fragmentation
of rules.
o Protecting
the rights and interests of non-participating Members.
o Keeping
development and S&DT at the centre of WTO rule-making.
o Ensuring
transparency, meaningful engagement and Member-driven processes.
o Preserving
existing WTO mandates and the multilateral agenda.
o Respecting
the institutional competence and scope of the WTO and avoiding
duplication with other international organisations.
o Ensuring
appropriate use of WTO resources, so plurilateral initiatives do not
divert resources from mandated activities such as technical assistance and
capacity building.
·
India proposes that safeguards should
apply across the initiation, negotiation, conclusion, incorporation and
possible amendment of plurilateral agreements.
·
Conclusion:
India supports structured, Member-driven discussions under WTO reform to
develop common principles and safeguards for plurilateral initiatives.
[ABS News Service/18.09.2026]