India keeping ‘fingers crossed’ as WTO talks enter final lap

The World Trade Organization has reached deals on agricultural export subsidies, food aid and other issues, capping a ministerial conference in the Kenyan capital.

The 162-member body, meeting in Africa for the first time, said a deal had been reached on the issue of farm export subsidies, with developed nations expected to get rid of their subsidies starting now with developing nations to eliminate theirs from 2018.

As to the issue of a special safeguard mechanism to protect food security in countries of the global South, a separate half-page statement admits that the WTO has failed to make any progress beyond what was agreed at its Hong Kong summit in 2005.

The final declaration adopted Saturday said “many members” reaffirmed their “full commitment to conclude” the Doha Development Agenda goals. Wish to say that SSM was not even on the cards when we arrived at Nairobi.

She added that developed nations want to “dump” the Doha Development reaffirmation despite the fact that G33 grouping, least developed countries and the African Group demanding successful conclusion of the Doha round.

“Last night’s negotiations continued till 3 AM”.

India said the so-called “special and differential treatment” agreed to at the talks was also noteworthy.

In a series of tweets, she later said: “Crucial day at Nairobi”.

During the talks, India had made a strong pitch on protecting its farmers.

A peace clause means no WTO member can drag India to the dispute panel for offering more product-specific support to farmers through procurement of grains than stipulated under the WTO until a permanent solution is found. Negotiations under way. Need to ensure Indian farmers/agri interests are safe. Trade experts greeted the deal on the talks, also known as the Doha Development Agenda (DDA), with scepticism. On Friday, some twitterati blamed India for blocking the talks, while others pointed fingers at the US.

On the agriculture draft provided to the Chair, the minister said that India has expressed its unhappiness about the language, particularly on the stockholding for food security purposes. Amid the continuing deadlock, the blame game has now shifted to social media with topics like #IndiaStandsBehindFarmers trending in response to #IndiaBlocksTrade possibly from developed countries.