India, US not on same page over new WTO chief

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 30

Despite India’s excellent security and defence ties with the US, trade continues to act as an irritant. The latest is the US spanner in the election of Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the new Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

What would have been the first woman and the first African to lead the WTO has been stymied by the US although India along with the EU, Japan and China had opted for the Nigerian over her South Korean rival.

However, this will not be the first time the WTO election has become politicised. In 1999, a similar stalemate led to the two candidates sharing three-year terms.

The job is tough and will require perseverance and outstanding negotiating skills after the previous DG Robert Azevêdo quit the post prematurely because of the stalemate in talks to reform the WTO, said sources.

Sources said Washington’s objection to her selection had led the WTO postpone the election to November 9.