India unhappy with WTO for slow progress of food security talks

Disappointed over the slow progress in finding a permanent solution to the food security issue, India on Wednesday said that it would be difficult for the country to agree on trade facilitation pact, mainly promoted by the developed world. 

‘Till we have an assurance and visible outcomes which convinces developing countries that (WTO) members will engage in negotiations with commitment to find a permanent solution on public stock holding and all other Bali deliverables, especially those for the LDCs, India will find it difficult to join the consensus on the Protocol of Amendment,’ an official statement said. The Protocol of Amendment lays the framework for trade facilitation agreement (TFA).

Earlier this month in Geneva, India said that it always engages constructively and actively on TFA and is working on its commitments. ‘However, India is deeply disappointed and concerned at the completely uneven progress in the other areas of work mandated by Ministers in Bali,’ the statement said quoting Commerce Secretary Rajeev Kher. In the WTO's Ministerial meeting in Bali in December, members agreed to finalise on TFA and find a solution to unhindered implementation of food security scheme.