U.S. Disappointed At India's Stance At WTO

KOLKATA: India's refusal to ratify the trade facilitation agreement at WTO was disappointing, a U.S. envoy to India said.

"My country and all other countries in the WTO framework were disappointed as India made a changed stance in July last," said Stephens, Charge d'Affaires ad interim to India, at an informal interaction with reporters.

She said had India agreed to the new global customs rules, then it could have been an enormous step for trade facilitation for smaller countries as well.

Taking a tough stance, India last month refused to sign the trade facilitation pact at WTO demanding a permanent solution to issues of food stock holding and subsidies.

"I hope India can play a pro-active role in the multilateral WTO forum not only for other nations, but also for its own interest as well", Stephens, who took over charge after the resignation of Ambassador Nancy Powell, said.

"We expected the protocol to go through, but for India, it did not," Stephens said.

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