(a) whether India has initiated a mini ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) members from both rich and developing nations to revitalise the multilateral trade body;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether it is true that about 40 WTO member countries are expected to participate in the said meeting; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)
(a) : Yes, Madam.
(b): An Informal WTO Ministerial Gathering is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on 19-20 March 2018. India is a strong supporter of the multilateral trading system and has been working constructively with members of the WTO to ensure that multilateralism is strengthened through collaborative efforts. It is in this spirit that India is hosting this meeting with the objective of facilitating an exchange of views on various issues and challenges relating to the multilateral trading system.
(c) & (d) Over 40 countries have been invited for the meeting including both developed and developing countries.
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