India on Monday flayed many developed countries for strengthening forces of protectionism and asked them to reciprocate offers from emerging economies to clinch a multi-lateral trade agreement that will boost global economy.
"It takes two hands to clap", Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, referring to reluctance of some rich nations to cut back on subsidies to their farmers even while seeking access to industrial goods and services market in developing nations.
The Doha round of World Trade Organisation talks launched in 2001 has been hanging over lack of consensus on agriculture, with developing countries including India declaring that they would not compromise the interests of their mostly subsistence farmers.
"At a time when we in the developing world are standing our ground in dealing with the challenges and opportunities of globalisation, it is regrettable that the forces of protectionism are gaining political ground in many developed countries," he said at the AGM of industry chamber Assocham in New Delhi.
While new burdens and responsibilities are sought to be imposed on developing countries in the name of environment and social concerns, these nations have a stake in the successful conclusion of the Doha Round of multi-lateral trade talks, Singh said.
The developed countries should play the role expected from them in sustaining global growth, Singh said.
"Developing countries recognise the importance of a liberal and rule-based international trading system. We therefore have a stake in the successful outcome of the Doha round of trade negotiations. I hope that the developed countries would not forget the development dimension of multi-lateral trade negotiations," he said.
