Intro: At MC14 in Cameroon, India underlined that consensus remains the foundation of the WTO’s legitimacy.
New Delhi
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, who is leading the Indian delegation, underlined that consensus remains the foundation of the WTO’s legitimacy.
Speaking during the second day of deliberations, Goyal cautioned against any attempts to dilute this principle, stating that member countries should not be compelled to accept rules they do not agree with. He stressed that rebuilding trust among member nations is essential to overcoming the current deadlock in global trade negotiations.
India also called for a thorough assessment of the root causes behind the ongoing challenges within the WTO framework. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India emphasized that all discussions must remain transparent, inclusive, and driven by member participation. The country warned that any fragmentation within the WTO’s institutional structure could significantly weaken the multilateral trading system.
Highlighting the need for a level-playing field, India pointed to long-standing asymmetries that originated during the Uruguay Round negotiations. It urged prioritization of unresolved issues such as food security, public stockholding programs, special safeguard mechanisms, and cotton trade concerns before introducing new topics into the negotiation agenda.
India further expressed concern over the continued dysfunction of the WTO’s dispute settlement system. It noted that without an effective mechanism for resolving disputes, global trade rules risk losing their enforceability, disproportionately affecting smaller and developing economies.
India warned against misuse of transparency rules for trade retaliation or challenging domestic policies, stressing the need for capacity-building support for all members. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal reaffirmed India’s commitment to WTO reforms, urging a time-bound process with clear milestones based on evidence and active participation from all members.
