THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) & (b): The main elements of India`s strategy at the WTO continue to be as follows:
(i) Increased market access, particularly in developed countries markets, for India`s agricultural and
industrial products;
(ii) Full development of India`s vast potential in the services sector with special emphasis on areas of export interest
to India and other developing countries, such as information technology, professional services, and easy access for
professionals and skilled persons into developed countries markets;
(iii) Collaborative action with other developing countries to use the WTO as an instrument for global development,
with emphasis on the problem of the poorest people; and
(iv) Protection of sensitive and vulnerable sectors in India, especially in agriculture.
(c) & (d): Yes sir, India has emphasised at the WTO negotiations, the need to remove explicit and implicit barriers to
trade in services. These include disciplining of Domestic Regulations which act as barriers to effective market access.
In order to pursue its interests in services negotiations India has sponsored requests in Cross Border Supply (Mode 1)
and Movement of Natural Persons (Mode 4), and is the coordinator of the plurilateral groups in these areas. India is also
the co-sponsor of plurilateral groups on Computer and Related Services (CRS) and Architectural, Engineering and
Integrated Engineering Services.
India has also made specific requests to its important trading partners in Accountancy Services, Architecture Services,
Computer Related Services, Health Services, Construction and Related Services, Engineering and Integrated Engineering
Services and Financial Services.
(e) : No sir,
(f) & (g) : Does not arise.
