India Sticks To Tough Stand; PM, FM, Nirmala Discuss WTO Pact

Sharp differences have emerged between rich economies like the U.S. and Australia and emerging nations, including India and South Africa, on implementation of the Bali package.

While the developed world is pressing for adoption of protocol on TFA, India is asking for finding a permanent solution for its food security programme.

India wants implementation of TFA only as a part of a single undertaking that includes a permanent solution on food security issue.

The current WTO norms limits the value of food subsidies at 10 percent of the total value of food grain production. However, the support is calculated at the prices that are over two-decade old and not at current prices.

India is asking for change in the base year (1986) for calculating the food subsidies. The U.S. gives about $120 billion as agriculture subsidy as compared to India's $12 billion.

The final protocol for the TFA, which is dear to the developed world including the U.S. and Australia, was concluded by the WTO members but no single meeting has happened on India's food security related issues.

"Developed world is talking about the deadline of adoption of TFA, which is July 31. Issues are important and not the deadlines," they added.

The TFA will be formally implemented in 2015. The TFA, which aims at simplifying customs procedure, increasing transparency and reducing transactions cost, is being pushed by the US and other developed nations as they seek to bolster their sagging economies through an unhindered international trade by way of a uniform and easy procedures at customs.