New Delhi, March 26 (NationPress) India made a strong case on Thursday for reforms within the WTO that prioritize a transparent, inclusive, and member-driven approach, ensuring that the special rights of developing countries remain central to its mission in line with the foundational principles of the multilateral body.

During his address at the WTO ministerial conference in Cameroon, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized that reforms should focus on development, with a primary emphasis on non-discrimination and consensus-based decision-making to guarantee equity.

He pointed out that the Special and Differential Treatment provisions within WTO agreements, which grant special privileges to developing countries, must be clear, effective, and operational.

"Agriculture is vital for the livelihoods of millions. For the Global South, achieving a permanent solution for public stockholding related to food security, establishing a special safeguard mechanism, and addressing cotton issues are critical and long-standing mandates. We must prioritize these," Goyal remarked.

India remains dedicated to negotiating a comprehensive Fisheries Subsidies Agreement that takes into account both current and future fishing needs while safeguarding the livelihoods of small-scale fishers through appropriate and effective Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT), he added.

He further stressed that past mandates should be prioritized. The current dysfunctional dispute settlement system has hindered members from seeking effective remedies. It is essential to restore the automatic and binding dispute settlement system, the minister argued.

Additionally, he mentioned that the integration of plurilateral outcomes into the WTO framework should be based on consensus and should not undermine the existing rights of non-parties or impose further obligations on them.

In light of the absence of a consensus among members on the scope of the moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions, and given its potentially significant repercussions, Goyal noted that the ongoing extension of this moratorium should be carefully reconsidered.

Guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the recent Global AI Impact Summit, Goyal reiterated that India believes emerging technologies should serve 'Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya' (welfare for all and happiness for all). The multilateral trading system must also ensure equitable sharing of innovation, development, and opportunities among all members.

Goyal highlighted the necessity of constructive engagement to reaffirm that the WTO remains at the heart of global trade, striving for reforms that ensure responsiveness, development, equity, and inclusiveness, ultimately transforming the system to better serve the interests of the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized communities, anchored in consensus and multilateralism.