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Despite the ongoing discussions, the 13th Ministerial Conference of the WTO concluded on March 1 without significant decisions on crucial issues such as finding a permanent solution to public food stockpiling and curbing fisheries subsidies.
India has taken a firm stance against the remarks made by Thailand’s Ambassador Pimchanok Vonkorpon Pitfield to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Abu Dhabi.
The remarks reportedly targeted India’s public stockholding program, a critical component of its agricultural policy, aiming to support farmers by ensuring stable prices for essential crops and maintaining food security for its population.
Notably, this program has been a subject of discussion and negotiation at the World Trade Organization (WTO) due to concerns about its potential impact on global trade dynamics.
Reports citing sources said that Pitfield’s comments were ‘offensive’ in nature and criticised India’s rice procurement program. Pitfield blamed the program and said that the country is exporting 40 percent of procured rice for its Public Distribution Systems (PDS) to boost its export market.
The comment sparked tensions following which India lodged a strong protest and the Thai Ambassador was replaced.
“The Thai Ambassador has been replaced. She has ridiculed India’s public stockholding programme,” media reports said citing a source.
“It was the tone used, which was offensive and this remark was followed by members of the Cairns grouping applauding the comment. Bharat took objection to what was said, and the manner, in which it was said,” a separate report added quoting sources.
WTO meet in Abu Dhabi
Delegates from around the world had converged in Abu Dhabi for the 5-day World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial meet on Monday (Feb 26), where discussions on global trade rules commenced. Highlighting the disparities in global e-commerce, India underscored the dominance of a few firms from developed countries.
Despite the discussions for days, the 13th Ministerial Conference of the WTO concluded on March 1 without significant decisions on crucial issues such as finding a permanent solution to public food stockpiling and curbing fisheries subsidies.
WTO is an international organisation that regulates international trade between nations. It was established on January 1, 1995, succeeding the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which had been in place since 1948.
The WTO serves as a forum for negotiating trade agreements, settling disputes between member countries, and monitoring national trade policies to ensure compliance with established rules.
(With inputs from agencies)
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