Date:20/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/01/20/stories/2007012005681000.htm

Back Lamy pitches for India's role in revival of WTO talks

Our Bureau

REVIVING WTO TALKS: The WTO Director-General, Mr Pascal Lamy, with the Commerce and Industry Minister, Mr Kamal Nath, addressing a press conference in the Capital on Friday. - Kamal Narang

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New Delhi Jan 19 The WTO Director-General, Mr Pascal Lamy, today sought India's co-operation in reviving the multilateral trade talks of the Doha Round.

In a day of hectic activity, Mr Lamy called on Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh early in the day for a 30-minute meeting on the ongoing efforts on his part to revive the trade talks.

Officials privy to the meeting said that Mr Lamy underscored the need for proactive role by major players from emerging economies like India and Brazil to travel the extra mile for wrapping up the negotiations.

Later, after a luncheon hosted in his honour by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Mr Kamal Nath, Mr Lamy told newspersons: "My understanding is that the US and the EU have started testing new positions.

"Something is cooking but it is not at the point of being served. It also needs Indian spices. Other chefs like Japan and Australia have to contribute to it."

Mr Lamy said that he was conscious of the position of India on agriculture but added that opening up the farm sector for imports would not make the lives of Indian farmers any tougher.

He also called on Union Agriculture Minister Mr Sharad Pawar and said that India need not be overly concerned about agriculture subsidies and the livelihood security of farmers.

Dwelling on India's stance at length in a meeting with FICCI on Thursday night, Mr Lamy said that India remains a net exporter of food and has offensive interests in sugar, cotton, rice, wheat and wheat products and there is every possibility to tap new markets abroad.

Hence, he said, the "exposure of agriculture to international trade is just a small part of the overall reform that needs to be undertaken to address the concerns of the farming community."

At the end of the day, Mr Lamy said that negotiations could resume "if what is available on the table is seen with a rational mind and if the main players delve deeper into their pockets," in order to be flexible in talks to balance their various interests.