India should be more enterprising in negotiating market access for non-agricultural products since the world is moving towards the concept of free-trade zones.
There is already talk of an European-Mediterranean Free Trade Agreement. In the East too, there is the Association of South-East Asian Nations. India might want to be a part of it, but the other side is not too keen.
India cannot stop free trade agreements. It can only minimise the adverse affect through reduction of tariffs, which is non-discriminatory. We have come a long way from a 300 per cent Customs duty to 30 per cent. The finance minister has committed to reduce it to 10-20 per cent levels.
Regarding market access for agricultural products, Commerce and Industry Minister Arun Jaitley has rightly stressed that India needs to safeguard the interests of its farmers.
But while setting pre-conditions that the developed countries should eliminate export subsidies, we should specify the extent of tariff cut.
As far as TRIPS and public health is concerned, the problem was solved to a large extent in Doha, where it was agreed that countries reserved the right to issue compulsory licences.
Anwar ul Hoda, Professor, ICRIER
