Blaming the developed world’s “serious gap of attitude” as the reason behind failed talks, India has said that it is still optimistic about Doha Development round concluding positively.

“There is a serious gap of attitude because of which the talks had failed,” said Union Commerce Minister Kamal Nath, who is cut up with the hardened attitude of the US on agriculture subsidy issue.

Mr Kamal Nath’s remark comes week after the US, Indian, the European and Brazilian negotiators abandoned talks in Potsdam in Germany. Mr Kamal Nath, however, said “I don’t see Doha Development Round petering out but hope to see it coming to a conclusion.”

Outsourcing
Mr Kamal Nath, who was speaking at a meeting organised by the Commonwealth Business Council here last night, said the G-4 (US, India, EU and Brazil) had its day.

“The G-4 process has ended. We need to make it larger,” he said. Answering a question on outsourcing, Mr Kamal Nath said there was no point in blaming the outsourcing for job losses. “It is shifting employment pattern and technology which is affecting globally,” he said, adding the future would be dictated by technology and demographics than tariff. “If countries do not see this they are making a mistake,” he said, adding that the WTO development round should be focusing on ensuring healthy economy in developing countries.

“Market access will make sense only if you have healthy economy,” he noted, observing technology and innovation were crucial for healthy economic development.

US subsidy
Mr Kamal Nath said Doha Development Round should correct structural flaws. “Mainly, the US should correct its trade distorting agriculture subsidy.”  He also said that the US made provision for $17 billion agriculture subsidy while it gave only $10 billion as subsidy last year. “We have to respect commerce but I am not going to negotiate livelihood and security of our farmers,” he said.

Complimenting the European Union for taking some bold steps and making some correction, he said “I would like the US to follow the European Union’s example.”

 Mr Kamal Nath said Washington wanted to enrich its flourishing farm sector at the cost of millions of poor farmers in the developing countries.