Success of Doha talks would give big push to trade: Sharma

Lalit K Jha
Washington, Mar 19 (PTI) The successful conclusion of the
Doha round of trade negotiations would substantially augment
global trade, Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Anand
Sharma said here.
"It is clear and there is no disputing the fact that the
success of these talks will help in augmenting global trade
substantially," Sharma said at a conference at the conclusion
of his three-day trip to Washington.
During his visit, Sharma met United States Trade
Representative (USTR) Ambassador Ron Kirk, Secretary of
Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Deputy National Security Advisor
for International Economic Affairs Michael Froman.
Besides bilateral trade and commerce, Sharma said Doha
negotiations figured prominently in the talks.
"We have touched upon the ongoing Doha round of the WTO
impressing upon the need to take this forward to a successful
conclusion as was said repeatedly last year by our leaders at
various summits. We have exchanged notes on the progress in
Geneva," he said.
Sharma said India had taken an initiative to re-energise
the stalled Doha round of the WTO by reaching out to the
developing and developed countries, impressing upon the need
to enhance global trade, by putting in place all issues to
have an equitable multilateral trade regime.
"Aspirations of all the countries are common that there
should be a global trade regime which is balanced is equitable
which is also fair so that it corrects the past and historical
imbalances and addresses the core agenda of the Doha round of
the WTO i.e; development without any dilution," he said.
"But the successful conclusion will enhance global
commerce; it will give better market access to poor countries,
the LDC, the developing countries and at the same time give
benefit and rewards to the developed countries," he argued.
Emphasizing the need to build upon what has already been
invested in, Sharma said: "A huge investment has been made by
the countries of the world over the last seven eight years
trying to reach an agreement.
"Therefore, we are all for taking substantive measures to
reach an understanding which addresses all the legitimate
aspirations particularly the developmental concerns of poor."
In the meeting with Kirk, Sharma discussed a wide-range
of issues pertaining to bilateral trade and investment. The
Minister spoke about the benefits of commencing negotiations
on a Totalization Agreement.
"Due to the absence of such an agreement, Indian companies
in the US were making double payments of social security,
without getting any benefits," he said.
With US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack he discussed
co-operation in the field of agriculture that could be
leveraged to strengthen agricultural productivity, and promote
agro-based industry in India.
On March 19, Sharma is set to meet US industry, including
meetings with the Board of US Council for International
Business and the India Business Forum, at New York . PTI