GENEVA (Switzerland): India has been able to secure a favourable outcome at the WTO after many years, despite a strong global campaign against its farmers and fishermen, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has said.
The minister told the media after the conclusion of the WTO 12th Ministerial Conference here that the Indian delegation leveraged India’s strong relationship with the world, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has nurtured over the last few years.
“A few countries attempted to create a false campaign, initially on Sunday and Monday, that India is obstinate due to which no progress is being made. The real situation has emerged before us all, the issues raised by India, on which the Prime Minister had asked us to focus upon. Now, the whole world acknowledges that was the correct agenda and ultimately, India played a vital role in arriving at all solutions,” he said.
The minister said India stood strong for its MSMEs, farmers and fishermen. The voice of the poor and the vulnerable got strengthened globally by India’s stand at the WTO.
Goyal said India was at the centre of WTO negotiations and India’s firm stamp is visible in the outcome of every WTO meeting, adding that India took the lead and turned the tide of negotiations from failure, gloom and doom to optimism, enthusiasm and consensus-based outcome.
India’s efforts to bring members to the table to discuss issues irrespective of the existing geopolitical order has ensured benefit for the world’s masses.
Goyal said India’s motto of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ echoed in the WTO. “India not only raised its issues, but raised the issues of other developing countries, Least Developed Countries (LDCs), poor and vulnerable with sensitivity and fought bravely for their cause.”
The minister said India today bats on the front foot rather than being fearful on various issues be it environment, startups, MSMEs or gender equality. This is a result of the confidence of New India.India’s relations with the world have come into play to build deep alliances, friendships and partnerships across the world. India has already signed FTAs with countries like UAE and Australia and negotiations with EU, UK and Canada are at an advanced stage.
Officials said India is set to launch FTA negotiations with the EU at Brussels and any important global meet is not complete without India and its leadership. “Our growing international stature is also a buildup to our G20 presidency this year. The PM has also been invited to attend the upcoming G7 summit in Germany,” an official said.
WTO outcome after record exports, trade deals, shows that one can be pro-poor and pro-trade at the same time, officials said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focus on the welfare of the poor has been adopted on the global stage.
India successfully achieved its proposed outcomes at WTO ministerial meet across all pillars including fisheries, they said. (ANI)