By IANS
New Delhi : Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath Tuesday cautiously welcomed the new global trade texts meant to push the stalled Doha talks.
Officials of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) last week issued the revised drafts for agriculture and industry.
“Significant and effective reduction of trade distorting subsidies of the developed countries is an issue on which there can be no compromise because they impact adversely upon the livelihood of millions of our poor farmers,” Kamal Nath said in a statement.
“Indian agriculture cannot be expected to carry the burden and most definitely not in a development round,” he added. “A lot of work still remains to be done on special products.
“The livelihood of Indian farmers and the food security of the nation is of paramount importance and must be protected at all costs,” he said.
The draft texts did not make any significant changes to the existing proposals for cuts in tariffs and subsidies but made certain revisions on a range of technical issues.
Kamal Nath also expressed satisfaction over the fact that the proposal of 54 percent cut in agricultural tariffs for developed countries and a maximum tariff cut of 36 percent for developing countries had been considered.
On the texts meant for the non-agricultural market access, the minister urged “greater flexibilities”.
He stated that the text on fisheries subsidies had to be radically revised to take into account the actual conditions that affect “the livelihood of millions of poor fisher folk in India and other countries.
“There are admittedly a number of areas where there are strong differences of opinion. Convergence in these areas will have to be incrementally achieved in these areas.
“There must be simultaneous progress on all fronts if we are to clinch a deal by end 2008,” Kamal Nath said.