India is set to take a firm stance against a proposal led by China for an investment facilitation pact and advocate strongly for its key interests at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial meeting commencing on Tuesday.<o:p></o:p>

Led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, the Indian delegation aims to address critical issues concerning food security, fisheries subsidies, agricultural reforms, and e-commerce moratorium on import duties during the four-day 13th ministerial conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi, UAE.<o:p></o:p>

Piyush Goyal stressed India's commitment to finding a permanent solution to the public stock holding (PSH) issue for food security, highlighting the significance of food procurement, stockholding, and distribution in India's food security strategy. <o:p></o:p>

The Indian government's procurement of crops at minimum support prices (MSP) plays a crucial role in ensuring food security for millions of vulnerable citizens, despite limitations imposed by the WTO's Agreement on Agriculture.<o:p></o:p>

India is vehemently opposed to the Joint Support Initiatives (JSIs) or plurilateral agreements advocated by certain nations, particularly China. <o:p></o:p>

These efforts to push for investment facilitation for development agreement at the WTO are seen as falling outside the WTO's mandate, raising systemic concerns and potentially hindering developing nations' interests in the future.<o:p></o:p>

Furthermore, India stands firm on protecting farmer livelihoods and ensuring equitable market access amid calls for agricultural reforms. <o:p></o:p>

Developed nations' push to reduce domestic support and increase market openness disregards the heavy subsidies they provide to their own farmers, posing challenges for India and other developing nations.<o:p></o:p>

In addition to advocating for inclusive WTO reforms, India emphasises the need to revamp the Appellate Body to ensure fairness in dispute resolution. <o:p></o:p>

This stance pits India against the USA's reluctance and the EU's proposal for alternate mechanisms.<o:p></o:p>

Fisheries subsidies also feature prominently in India's agenda, with a focus on promoting sustainable fishing practices and protecting the interests of poor fishermen. <o:p></o:p>

India advocates for a balanced approach based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, urging advanced fishing nations to bear greater responsibility for overfishing and overcapacity.<o:p></o:p>

The ongoing moratorium on customs duties on e-commerce trade is another contentious issue for India, which seeks its termination alongside several other developing nations. <o:p></o:p>

Developed nations, however, advocate for the permanent adoption of duty-free digital transmission, setting the stage for heated debates at MC13.<o:p></o:p>

India reiterates its position that non-trade issues like labour and environment should not be discussed at the WTO.<o:p></o:p>

(With inputs from PTI)<o:p></o:p>

India is set to take a firm stance against a proposal led by China for an investment facilitation pact and advocate strongly for its key interests at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial meeting commencing on Tuesday.

India is set to take a firm stance against a proposal led by China for an investment facilitation pact and advocate strongly for its key interests at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial meeting commencing on Tuesday. Led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, the Indian delegation aims to address critical issues concerning food security, fisheries subsidies, agricultural reforms, and e-commerce moratorium on import duties during the four-day 13th ministerial conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Piyush Goyal stressed India's commitment to finding a permanent solution to the public stock holding (PSH) issue for food security, highlighting the significance of food procurement, stockholding, and distribution in India's food security strategy. The Indian government's procurement of crops at minimum support prices (MSP) plays a crucial role in ensuring food security for millions of vulnerable citizens, despite limitations imposed by the WTO's Agreement on Agriculture. India is vehemently opposed to the Joint Support Initiatives (JSIs) or plurilateral agreements advocated by certain nations, particularly China. These efforts to push for investment facilitation for development agreement at the WTO are seen as falling outside the WTO's mandate, raising systemic concerns and potentially hindering developing nations' interests in the future. Furthermore, India stands firm on protecting farmer livelihoods and ensuring equitable market access amid calls for agricultural reforms. Developed nations' push to reduce domestic support and increase market openness disregards the heavy subsidies they provide to their own farmers, posing challenges for India and other developing nations. In addition to advocating for inclusive WTO reforms, India emphasises the need to revamp the Appellate Body to ensure fairness in dispute resolution. This stance pits India against the USA's reluctance and the EU's proposal for alternate mechanisms. Fisheries subsidies also feature prominently in India's agenda, with a focus on promoting sustainable fishing practices and protecting the interests of poor fishermen. India advocates for a balanced approach based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, urging advanced fishing nations to bear greater responsibility for overfishing and overcapacity. The ongoing moratorium on customs duties on e-commerce trade is another contentious issue for India, which seeks its termination alongside several other developing nations. Developed nations, however, advocate for the permanent adoption of duty-free digital transmission, setting the stage for heated debates at MC13. India reiterates its position that non-trade issues like labour and environment should not be discussed at the WTO. (With inputs from PTI)

India to assert key interests, opposes China-led investment pact at WTO ministerial meeting

On the sidelines of the 12th World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial meeting in the Swiss town of Geneva on Sunday, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal held discussions with the Director-General WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala pertaining to prospects of a permanent solution to public stockholding for food security.

At the G33 Ministerial Meeting, a coalition of developing countries of which India is a key member, Minister Piyush Goyal also held extensive talks with his counterparts from developing and least developed nations.

Taking to Twitter, Goyal wrote, "Fighting for rights of our farmers within an hour of landing at WTO, Geneva at the G33 Ministerial Meeting. Discussed prospects of a permanent solution to public stockholding for food security with DG Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and my counterparts from the developing and least developed nations."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wto-lowers-global-trade-volume-growth-forecast-in-wake-of-russia-ukraine-war-470625">WTO lowers global trade volume growth forecast in wake of Russia-Ukraine war</a>

Moreover, the Commerce and Industry Minister Goyal will also meet with the Trade Representative of the United States of America, Katherine Tai.

The ministerial meeting began in Geneva, Switzerland on Sunday, after a gap of five years.

The Indian delegation at the meeting is led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. "India has a vital stake in protecting the interests of all stakeholders in the country as well as the interests of the developing and poor nations that look up to the leadership of India at multilateral forums including WTO," the Ministry of Commerce &amp; Industry said earlier in a statement.

The key areas of discussions and negotiations at this year`s conference include WTO`s response to the pandemic, fisheries subsidies negotiations, agriculture issues including Public Stockholding for food security, WTO reforms and moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmission.

WTO Director-General in May 2022 brought three draft texts on agriculture, trade and food security and exemption of the World Food Programme from export restrictions for negotiations.

"India has reservations about some of the provisions in the draft decisions and has been engaging in the process of discussions and negotiations in order to be able to preserve the rights under the agreement on agriculture without undermining the existing ministerial mandates," the Ministry of Commerce &amp; Industry added.

An important issue under negotiation at the WTO relates to the protection of India`s food grain procurement programme at Minimum Support Prices (MSP).

Watch |&nbsp;Taiwan threatens China to take to WTO after China stops grouper fish imports

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taiwan-threatens-china-to-take-to-wto-after-china-stops-grouper-fish-imports-487529/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Such programmes involve the purchase from farmers at administered prices and are key to supporting the farmers and consumers in the country. WTO rules limit the subsidy that can be provided to such products being procured.

This issue is being negotiated at the WTO by the G-33, a coalition of developing countries of which India is a key member and the African Group which has come together along with the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP group) in submitting a proposal on a permanent solution to the issue of public stockholding for food security purposes on 31 May 2022.

India co-sponsored a G-33 proposal for a permanent solution on PSH for food security purposes at the WTO, on 15 September 2021, which had the co-sponsorship of 38 Members.

In the negotiations, improvements are being sought by developing countries over the ministerial decision adopted at the ninth ministerial conference of the WTO in Bali in December 2013 where members agreed to negotiate a permanent solution on the issue of public stockholding for food security purposes by the 11th Ministerial Conference of the WTO.

It was agreed that in the interim, until a permanent solution is reached, Members would exercise due restraint (commonly termed as `peace clause`) in raising disputes in respect of public stockholding programmes for food security purposes instituted before 7th December 2013, even if countries exceeded their permissible limits.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wto-negotiators-finalise-key-texts-on-fishing-covid-jabs-487250">WTO negotiators finalise key texts on fishing, Covid jabs</a>

Consequent to the firm stand taken by India at the WTO, this peace clause was extended by a decision of the WTO General Council (GC) in November 2014 until a permanent solution was agreed and adopted.

Thus, it was ensured that the `peace clause` would be available in perpetuity. At the Nairobi Ministerial Conference held in December 2015, WTO members agreed to engage constructively to negotiate a permanent solution.

India neither wants to link public stock holding (PSH) issue with other agriculture issues nor a work programme as negotiating a permanent solution has a standalone mandate at the WTO, the ministry said.

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On the sidelines of the 12th World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial meeting in the Swiss town of Geneva on Sunday, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal held discussions with the Director-General WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala pertaining to prospects of a permanent solution to public stockholding for food security.

On the sidelines of the 12th World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial meeting in the Swiss town of Geneva on Sunday, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal held discussions with the Director-General WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala pertaining to prospects of a permanent solution to public stockholding for food security. At the G33 Ministerial Meeting, a coalition of developing countries of which India is a key member, Minister Piyush Goyal also held extensive talks with his counterparts from developing and least developed nations. Taking to Twitter, Goyal wrote, "Fighting for rights of our farmers within an hour of landing at WTO, Geneva at the G33 Ministerial Meeting. Discussed prospects of a permanent solution to public stockholding for food security with DG Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and my counterparts from the developing and least developed nations." Also read | WTO lowers global trade volume growth forecast in wake of Russia-Ukraine war Moreover, the Commerce and Industry Minister Goyal will also meet with the Trade Representative of the United States of America, Katherine Tai. The ministerial meeting began in Geneva, Switzerland on Sunday, after a gap of five years. The Indian delegation at the meeting is led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. "India has a vital stake in protecting the interests of all stakeholders in the country as well as the interests of the developing and poor nations that look up to the leadership of India at multilateral forums including WTO," the Ministry of Commerce & Industry said earlier in a statement. The key areas of discussions and negotiations at this year`s conference include WTO`s response to the pandemic, fisheries subsidies negotiations, agriculture issues including Public Stockholding for food security, WTO reforms and moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmission. WTO Director-General in May 2022 brought three draft texts on agriculture, trade and food security and exemption of the World Food Programme from export restrictions for negotiations. "India has reservations about some of the provisions in the draft decisions and has been engaging in the process of discussions and negotiations in order to be able to preserve the rights under the agreement on agriculture without undermining the existing ministerial mandates," the Ministry of Commerce & Industry added. An important issue under negotiation at the WTO relates to the protection of India`s food grain procurement programme at Minimum Support Prices (MSP). Watch | Taiwan threatens China to take to WTO after China stops grouper fish imports Such programmes involve the purchase from farmers at administered prices and are key to supporting the farmers and consumers in the country. WTO rules limit the subsidy that can be provided to such products being procured. This issue is being negotiated at the WTO by the G-33, a coalition of developing countries of which India is a key member and the African Group which has come together along with the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP group) in submitting a proposal on a permanent solution to the issue of public stockholding for food security purposes on 31 May 2022. India co-sponsored a G-33 proposal for a permanent solution on PSH for food security purposes at the WTO, on 15 September 2021, which had the co-sponsorship of 38 Members. In the negotiations, improvements are being sought by developing countries over the ministerial decision adopted at the ninth ministerial conference of the WTO in Bali in December 2013 where members agreed to negotiate a permanent solution on the issue of public stockholding for food security purposes by the 11th Ministerial Conference of the WTO. It was agreed that in the interim, until a permanent solution is reached, Members would exercise due restraint (commonly termed as `peace clause`) in raising disputes in respect of public stockholding programmes for food security purposes instituted before 7th December 2013, even if countries exceeded their permissible limits. Also read | WTO negotiators finalise key texts on fishing, Covid jabs Consequent to the firm stand taken by India at the WTO, this peace clause was extended by a decision of the WTO General Council (GC) in November 2014 until a permanent solution was agreed and adopted. Thus, it was ensured that the `peace clause` would be available in perpetuity. At the Nairobi Ministerial Conference held in December 2015, WTO members agreed to engage constructively to negotiate a permanent solution. India neither wants to link public stock holding (PSH) issue with other agriculture issues nor a work programme as negotiating a permanent solution has a standalone mandate at the WTO, the ministry said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India's Union Minister Piyush Goyal pitches for permanent solution for food security with WTO Director General

India&#39;s food security programmes will not be adversely impacted even as the WTO members failed to find a permanent solution to the food stockholding issue at the ministerial meeting which is closing on Wednesday, officials said.

Even after hectic parleys, the 164-member World Trade Organisation (WTO) failed to reach a common ground for resolving the food security issue as the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-deeply-disappointed-after-us-refuses-to-engage-on-food-security-issue-at-wto-26610" target="_blank">US refused to engage</a>, threatening a successful conclusion of the four-day conference.

The officials said that India&#39;s food security programmes are &quot;fully protected because we insisted in 2014 that the Peace Clause, which was initially for a period of four years, is given for perpetuity till a satisfactory and permanent solution is agreed upon ... Our Minimum Support Price (MSP) is absolutely protected.&quot;

The officials expressed disappointment over the failure of the member nations to reach an agreement on public food stockholding issue even on the fourth and final day of the ministerial conference.

The Indian team led by Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu, in cooperation with the G33 grouping, has been pitching hard for a permanent solution to food security issue as it was crucial for the livelihood of 800 million people across the globe.

India has expressed &quot;deep disappointment&quot; over the decision of the US to block permanent solution to the public food stockholding issue.

&quot;India is surprised and deeply disappointed that despite an overwhelming majority of members reiterating it, a major member country has reneged on a commitment made two years ago to deliver a solution of critical importance for addressing hunger in some of the poorest countries of the world,&quot; an official statement said yesterday.

Under the global trade norms, a WTO member country&#39;s food subsidy bill should not breach the limit of 10 per cent of the value of production based on the reference price of 1986-88.

Apprehending that full implementation of food security programme may result in a breach of the WTO cap, India has been seeking amendments in the formula to calculate the food subsidy cap.

As an interim measure, the WTO members at the Bali ministerial meeting in December 2013 had agreed to put in place a mechanism popularly called the Peace Clause and had committed to negotiating an agreement for a permanent solution at the 11th ministerial meeting at Buenos Aires.

India had also said that non-fulfilment of a mandate flowing from a ministerial decision at Nairobi could &quot;irreversibly&quot; damage the credibility of the WTO.

Under the Peace Clause, WTO members agreed to refrain from challenging any breach in prescribe ceiling by a developing nation at the dispute settlement forum of the WTO. This Peace Clause will be there till a permanent solution is found to the food stockpiling issue.&nbsp;

The Indian team led by Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu has been pitching hard for a permanent solution to food security issue

India's food security programmes will not be adversely impacted even as the WTO members failed to find a permanent solution to the food stockholding issue at the ministerial meeting which is closing on Wednesday, officials said. Even after hectic parleys, the 164-member World Trade Organisation (WTO) failed to reach a common ground for resolving the food security issue as the US refused to engage, threatening a successful conclusion of the four-day conference. The officials said that India's food security programmes are "fully protected because we insisted in 2014 that the Peace Clause, which was initially for a period of four years, is given for perpetuity till a satisfactory and permanent solution is agreed upon ... Our Minimum Support Price (MSP) is absolutely protected." The officials expressed disappointment over the failure of the member nations to reach an agreement on public food stockholding issue even on the fourth and final day of the ministerial conference. The Indian team led by Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu, in cooperation with the G33 grouping, has been pitching hard for a permanent solution to food security issue as it was crucial for the livelihood of 800 million people across the globe. India has expressed "deep disappointment" over the decision of the US to block permanent solution to the public food stockholding issue. "India is surprised and deeply disappointed that despite an overwhelming majority of members reiterating it, a major member country has reneged on a commitment made two years ago to deliver a solution of critical importance for addressing hunger in some of the poorest countries of the world," an official statement said yesterday. Under the global trade norms, a WTO member country's food subsidy bill should not breach the limit of 10 per cent of the value of production based on the reference price of 1986-88. Apprehending that full implementation of food security programme may result in a breach of the WTO cap, India has been seeking amendments in the formula to calculate the food subsidy cap. As an interim measure, the WTO members at the Bali ministerial meeting in December 2013 had agreed to put in place a mechanism popularly called the Peace Clause and had committed to negotiating an agreement for a permanent solution at the 11th ministerial meeting at Buenos Aires. India had also said that non-fulfilment of a mandate flowing from a ministerial decision at Nairobi could "irreversibly" damage the credibility of the WTO. Under the Peace Clause, WTO members agreed to refrain from challenging any breach in prescribe ceiling by a developing nation at the dispute settlement forum of the WTO. This Peace Clause will be there till a permanent solution is found to the food stockpiling issue.

WTO Ministerial: India's food security schemes fully protected, say officials

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India to assert key interests, opposes China-led investment pact at WTO ministerial meeting

India's Union Minister Piyush Goyal pitches for permanent solution for food security with WTO Director General

WTO Ministerial: India's food security schemes fully protected, say officials