Nath calls for unity in third world nations

Hectic parleys are on among WTO members to break the deadlock over agriculture issues. Ahead of a crucial G-4 meeting in London next week, Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath today said he had written to all WTO members underlining the importance of the current Doha round as a developmental round.

"I have urged them to remember that this is a developmental round and that a huge majority of the WTO membership comprises developing countries," he said.

Nath is leaving on the weekend for WTO-related meetings in London and Geneva. In addition to the G-4 meeting, the WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy has convened a meeting with leaders of select countries, including India, at Geneva. A meeting of the G-20 to evaluate EU's recent proposal on agriculture is also likely to be held next week.

Nath said there were no variations with the Left regarding India's negotiating stance at the WTO.

"We have received several important inputs from the Left. We have had one round of meeting and will meet them again on November 19."

Speaking at the launch of the Indian logo for the Hannover Fair 2006, Nath said it was important to note that in certain sectors India had a huge cushion, as there was a significant gap between the bound rate and the actual tariff.

"For instance, our bound rate in the non-agriculture sector is 60 per cent, while our applied rates are only 15 per cent. Hence, a reduction in tariffs at the bound rate will not adversely impact us," he said.

The minister is slated to release the India-Israel joint working group report in Tel Aviv next week. The JSG has recommended a preferential trade agreement between the two countries within the broader ambit of a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement.