Question : WTO Reforms

(a) whether India has been in talks with at least 150 countries to work out the way forward for reforming the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether it is true that the multilateral trading system was under stress and a number of fresh trade restrictive measures, which would affect global trade and economic growth, had surged and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether it is a fact that the expansion of global trade hinges on rules and processes determined by WTO and unless global trade expands, national economies will not benefit and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether it is also true that all substantive issues that have been agreed to at the Doha and other trade rounds as well as new issues that have cropped up are addressed with a sense of urgency and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI SURESH PRABHU)

a) to d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.90 FOR ANSWER ON 17th DECEMBER,2018 REGARDING “WTO REFORMS”.


(a) to (d): The multilateral trading system is facing serious challenges due to a spate of unilateral measures and counter measures, deadlock in important areas of negotiations and the ongoing impasse in the appointment of members of the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization’s dispute settlement mechanism. Given the importance of WTO as a rule-making body for achieving better integration of developing countries in international trade commensurate with their developmental needs, India has been a strong supporter of the multilateral trading system. India is willing to consider WTO reform proposals that are balanced, inclusive and preserve the core principles of the WTO, including issues relating to development. As a priority, India is constructively working with Members to finding a way to preserve the WTO dispute settlement system.
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