India firm on services, subsidies demand
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04/07/2008
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Business Standard (New Delhi)
D RAVI KANTH Geneva, 3 July India yesterday cautioned that its stand on finalising the Doha Development Agenda modalities on agriculture and non-agricultural market access (Na-ma) at the ministerial meeting, starting July 21, will crucially depend on whether New Delhi secures adequate response to its core demands in services, fishery subsidies and disclosure norms for genetic material, trade envoys said. At a meeting convened by World Trade Organization chief Pascal Lamy to set the roadmap for so-called middle group of issues like services, rules and the TRIPS-related points, India spelt out its expectations on its demands in these three areas. Lamy said the week starting July 14 will be devoted for capital-based senior officials to prepare the ground for the upcoming Signaling Conference on Services, which would enable trade ministers to indicate what each member is prepared to give in regard to demands placed by other members. Last week, Lamy maintained that the priority for the ministerial meeting, starting July 21, will be finalising the Doha Development Agenda modalities. He also suggested other issues would be dealt subsequently as part of the Single Undertaking.