By KUNA,
Geneva : Indian commerce minister Kamal Nath said Monday that the US said that the large emerging economies is blocking the deal. To respond to the US, he said, “we are large, yes we are, we are emerging, yes we are, and if blocking means to accept whatever developed countries say well so be it”. “It is not a question of blocking, it is commercial interests, livelihood security concerns cannot be compromised, we are very clear we want to engage, we want this process to go forward, and we are continuing to engage,” he stressed. In press statements, he added, progress is there and is not slipping away, those kind of agreements require intense discussions. Nath noted that it is not India that is blocking it is 100 countries that do not agree. “I am optimistic, but realistic, therefore I am optimistic with caution,” he said. He added that cotton is very important and there must be movement on this, this is something that has been agreed in Hong Kong and therefore cannot be reopened. “I believe that this issue has to be resolved if there has to be a deal,” he stressed.
Nath said that he is in a very good mood as he enters the G 7 meeting at noon and expressed hope that commercial considerations do not become the back drop of this round. “Development, livelihood security remain the foundation of this round,” he added.