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India confident at Doha, seeks attractive trade-offs

India continues to remain steadfast and opposes strong attempts by the developed world to write a new agenda for the World Trade Organisation at the Doha ministerial conference following crucial support from countries of the like-minded group (LMG), even as Pakistan seems to be wavering on services in bargain for short-term monetary gains for its ravaged economy.

After a hectic round of bilateral consultations with the LMG, that includes Nigeria, Tanzania and others, the Indian delegation headed by Commerce and Industry Minister Murasoli Maran, exuded confidence to block the new trade negotiation round implying fresh market obligations on the developing nations.

The Indian team does not seem bothered about being 'isolated' and does not even foresee a situation that would call for a vote in case the stalemate continues.

However, a senior official admitted that "there cannot be permanent positions in trade. Trade-offs happen in trade."

The mood in the Qatari capital seems business-like with reports of successful parleys between the United States of America and the European Union on the contentious issues of investment and agriculture subsidies.

"In this business-like environment, when there are no street protests and the NGOs remaining low key, there is a lot of pressure on the US and EU to come out with something substantive like the new round, western delegates said.

While some of the Indian watchers are expecting a 'surprise' from Maran, others foresee a trade-off, particularly in services.

"India might get a trade-off in services like the movement of natural persons," secretary general of the Jaipur-based Consumer Unity and Trust Society Pradeep S Mehta said.

Notwithstanding India's refusal to accept a new round of negotiations, Pakistan seems to be wavering on services. However, "on agriculture we are with India", delegates from Islamabad said.

The ministerial conference is formally opening with the address of Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani and the statement of WTO Director General Mike Moore.

Pakistan has its own compulsions for seeking monetary bargains. "In trade, situation changes each day," an NGO representative quoted senior Pakistani trade official.

However, India received a shot in the arm with a strong position coming from Nigeria which vehemently opposed the attempts by the rich nations to put new obligations on the developing countries.

Meanwhile, about 500 representatives of NGOs, who arrived in Doha, are maintaining a low-key presence at their allotted venue near Sheraton, the main venue of the ministerial conference.

Due to the tightest-ever security, there are no banners of protests here unlike Seattle where the NGOs and street protesters had ensured the failure of the ministerial about two years ago.

UNI

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