Experts Urge India to Strengthen Coalitions at WTO to Defend Farmers and Fishers

Following the conclusion of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, experts commend India’s efforts in safeguarding its agricultural and fisheries sectors but emphasize the need for enhanced coalition-building to address future challenges. Despite successfully protecting its interests, there’s a pressing call for India to strategize more comprehensively against the inclusion of new issues within the multilateral framework and to advocate for a permanent solution concerning public stockholding for food security.

India’s stance at the conference was pivotal in keeping its small farmers and fishers’ interests at the forefront, managing to navigate through negotiations that threatened to undermine these vital sectors. However, experts warn that without a concerted effort in building stronger alliances, particularly with developing and least developed nations, India may face difficulties in maintaining its defensive position.

The push for a permanent solution on public stockholding for food security remains a critical issue. This mechanism allows countries to procure, stockpile, and distribute food to their populations without being bound by the usual WTO subsidy limits, a crucial policy tool for nations like India that support large rural and vulnerable populations through subsidies.

Furthermore, Joint Statement Initiatives (JSIs), proposed by a group of WTO members, bring forth new negotiation subjects like e-commerce and investment facilitation, which some members fear could distract from unresolved issues vital to developing nations. India’s experts argue that keeping such initiatives outside the multilateral process is essential to focus on delivering concrete outcomes on longstanding concerns, including the crucial public stockholding agreements.

The call to action highlights the importance of the next WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon, where India is expected to play a strategic role in coalition-building. By aligning with countries that share similar concerns, India aims to bolster its influence in negotiations, ensuring that its food security measures and the interests of its farmers and fishers are not compromised.