India, on Monday, expressed its apprehensions on proposals relating to cut in duties on industrial goods, even as chances are improving for a meeting of the top policy making body of WTO next month.

“Industry in India is particularly concerned about reduction in tariff of industrial goods. A lot of uncertainty is prevailing as to what less than full reciprocity in reduction in tariff reduction commitments, which is part of the Doha mandate, would ultimately translate into,” Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce Jayant Dasgupta said here.

Trade deal

He said this issue needs to be addressed in full measure and this lies at the core of the Doha round of negotiations to get to the world trade deal. The other issue, he said, is the use of flexibilities related to tariff on sensitive and other products, that are being imported, to be utilised by developing countries. These flexibilities in tariff reduction have been taken off the table, Mr Dasgupta added.

India has been opposing setting up of ‘artificial deadlines’ for conclusion of Doha round of talks. He said the country has a comparative advantage in services like architecture, construction and healthcare but the limited access is hindering the growth in trade in these sectors. “We will like the offer to be made upfront and clear by our negotiating partners.” “It is important to complete the Doha round but rules of the game should be clear. There should be a balance... Defensive concerns (like agriculture subsidy and farmers' livelihood) that cannot be compromised have to be preserved. We are looking forward,” Mr Dasgupta said.