Prabhu confident of garnering support on various issues at WTO

Buenos Aires: Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu today exuded confidence that India will get support of WTO member countries on issues like food security, Doha Development Agenda (DDA) and protection to small farmers which are dear to India as well as other developing nations.

Ahead of the formal launch of the 11th Ministerial Meeting of the 164-member World Trade Organisation (WTO), the minister met the representatives of the European Union and participated in the meetings of the South Centre and G33 grouping.

“Met with the EU and had bilateral meetings (with trade ministers of other countries)…so that we have a common platform, so when we finally push our agenda there is enough support for us,” Prabhu told reporters here.

The minister further said that he was trying to meet trade ministers of those countries which have “opposite views” with a view to convince them about the concerns of the developing nations. Observing that the food security is essential of the country, Prabhu said as far as fisheries issue is concerned India would endeavour to protect the interest of small fishermen.

The other important issue is to push the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) which has not made much progress for the past several years. The minister also emphasised that he would work with other countries to ensure that WTO remain an important democratic multilateral institution.

These issues were discussed at the meetings of G33, which is a grouping of developing nations, and the South Centre, an intergovernmental organisation of developing countries. The South Centre has emerged as an important partner and resource for developing countries in their engagement at WTO.