Following the re-election of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as WTO Director-General, India is said to be building a coalition with WTO member countries and interest groups in the Global South to safeguard global food security.
Assuring that it will not compromise on the livelihoods of its farmers or food security, government sources have told CNBC-TV18 that India’s income-based support to farmers contrasts with the production-based support seen in developed countries, which distorts trade and sustainability.
Sources added that even Pakistan has joined India in advocating for public stockholding interests. Following discussions with WTO’s DG in November, India conducted online talks with Indonesia, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan on the issue.
At the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi on 29th February earlier this year, India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had emphasised the need for a permanent resolution to the long-standing issue of public stockholding.
He assured Indian farmers that their interests will be protected at the WTO and no attack on the MSP (Minimum Support Price) regime will be allowed.
(Edited by : Sheersh Kapoor)
