Developed world tardy on Doha talks India

India has blamed the developed countries for the slow pace of negotiations in the Doha Round of World Trade talks.

Speaking at the World Trade Organisation's Trade Policy Review for India, in Geneva today, Commerce Secretary Gopal K Pillai also conveyed the country's concern about the non-tariff barriers imposed by the developed countries. The non-tariff barriers are being seen as a deterrent to the growth of the developing nations.

"India is concerned over the slow pace of negotiations. While the suspended talks have resumed, the political will on the part of the developed countries is still not evident. Unless the development dimension of the Doha Round is met and the developing countries prosper, global trade will always be at risk. The rapid economic growth of the developing countries is a must for a truly global trade order to flourish. India stands committed to meet its obligations under the mandate of the July Framework and the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration. The developed countries must recognise that our destinies are intertwined," Pillai said.

He also conveyed India's worries regarding the protectionist measures undertaken by many developed countries, creating a barrier for the developing nations.

"The developed countries have a tendency to talk about market access in the developing countries but our access to the markets of the developed countries is sometimes thwarted by a phalanx of protectionist measures, some legal and some not so legal," Pillai said.

He pointed out that countries with low incomes face tariffs three to four times higher than the barriers applied in trade between high-income countries. "The developing countries account for less than one-third of the developed countries' imports but for two-thirds of tariff revenues collected," the commerce secretary said.

Pillai sighted the non-tariff barriers as a reason for hindering Indian exports. "More than serving the ostensible purposes of consumer safety, environment protection, and ethical business practices, non-tariff barriers, thanks to their frequent use and abuse, have increasingly become a hindrance to global trade," he added.