India’s stand at WTO should be seen in the context of the persistent discrimination against Third World countries by advanced countries
In the ongoing debate about agriculture and food security, India has been accused of having acted in a dogmatic manner for refusing to ratify the trade facilitation agreement unless its food security concerns are addressed in the World Trade Organization (WTO). However, this issue and India’s stand have to be seen in the context of the persistent discrimination against Third World countries by advanced countries in WTO. The preamble to Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) speaks about creating a "fair and market-oriented agricultural trading system" by providing for "substantial progressive reductions in agriculture support and protection" and assuring that "developed country Members would take fully into account the particular need and conditions of developing country Members". Food security was acknowledged as a specific "non-trade concern" where "special and differential treatment for developing countries" was supposed to be an "integral element of the negotiations". After two decades of the AoA’s coming into effect, it is clear that the progressive elements in its preamble have been converted into a mirage, thanks to the deceit ingrained in the fine print by developed countries.
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