India backs Mauritius for WTO post

India has decided to support Mauritius in the second round of voting for the post of director-general (DG) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

"India will support Jaya Krishna Cuttaree of Mauritius in the second round starting today," an official said.

The race for the DG's post has picked up pace with Brazil withdrawing its candidate Luiz Felipe de Seixas Corrêa after the first round. The Brazilian candidate, supported by India in the first round, polled the least number of votes.

"Brazil was India's first choice followed by Mauritius," an official said adding India's support for Mauritius was in step with New Delhi's close strategic and political ties with the island nation.

According to sources, the European Union appears to have voted strategically in the first round to oust Brazil from the race. China has come out in support of a candidate from a developing country to be made the WTO DG on the grounds that the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund are both headed by candidates from developed countries, as always.

Uruguay is the only other developing country now left in the race, represented by Carlos Pérez del Castillo. Officials said, with the next ministerial in Hong Kong just a few months away, it would be in India's and the developing countries' interest to have a developing country candidate head the trade body. The selection process is expected to be completed by May. WTO DG Supachai Panitchpakdi's term ends in August this year.