Union Commerce & Industry Minister Kamal Nath said poor farmers who cannot be expected to bear the burden of trade distorting subsidies in rich countries will be protected.
“Before giving final views, India would hold consultations with other developing countries and domestic stakeholders”, he said in a statement.
Greater flexibility
However, he made it clear that “significant and effective reduction of trade distorting subsidies of developed countries is an issue on which there can be no compromise.”
On industrial products, the minister said Indian industry would need greater flexibilities as compared to the industries in the developed countries. He expressed “surprise” at the removal of numbers on Para 8 of Non-Agricultural Market Access text, which deals with flexibilities for developing countries and has been on the table since July 2004. Mr Kamal Nath said he was happy that the new draft on agriculture brings back on the table original G-20 proposals of minimum 54 per cent cut in agricultural tariff by developed countries and maximum tariff cut of 36 per cent for developing nations.
