Prabhu appeals for common ground to strengthen WTO

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 20

Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu on Tuesday said the informal WTO Ministerial Meeting was an exercise to create confidence and bring countries together to discuss common issues like food security and agriculture.

As the meet concluded, he said the WTO has become even more important as large countries are resorting to unilateral actions and protectionist tendencies.

The two-day conference had representations from 53 WTO member countries, including the US, China, and the EU. The conference was also attended by a representative of the Pakistan High Commission in India.

The meet comes at a time when the US has announced a hike in tariff on steel and aluminum imports and is now engaged in a war of words with the EU.

Speaking after the meet, Prabhu said India is committed to working within the framework of the WTO.

“Food security concerns and items related to agriculture were discussed and strongly put forward by countries, including India”, Prabhu said.

He added that although there are differences among countries, there is no substitute to dialogue — bilateral and multilateral.

Ministers and senior dignitaries attending the Informal WTO Ministerial Meeting in New Delhi also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday. During the interaction, various aspects related to multilateral trade came up for discussion.