. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(99)/ST/16
30 November 1999
(99-5194)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Third Session
Seattle, 30 November - 3 December 1999Original:  English
INDIA
Statement by H.E. Mr. Murasoli Maran
Minister of Commerce and Industry
I would like to convey our deep appreciation to the Government of the United States, the
authorities of the State of Washington and the Seattle Host Organization for hosting this Third
Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization.
The preparatory process leading up to this Conference has been both protracted as well as
intensive.  A transparent and constructive process should enable us to arrive at a satisfactory outcome.
Our assessment has all along been that the Uruguay Round Agreements have not served all
the membership well.  There are critical gaps that need to be urgently addressed.
Asymmetries and inequities in several of the agreements including those relating to
anti-dumping, subsidies, intellectual property, TRIMs and the non-realization of expected benefits
from agreements such as textiles and agriculture during implementation have been a matter of great
concern.  The special and differential treatment clauses have remained virtually inoperative.  The
textile sector has thus far witnessed a mere 4 per cent of integration of the restrained items by thedeveloped countries.  Even in areas, where developing countries began to acquire trade
competitiveness, anti-dumping or subsidy investigations have been initiated in increasing numbers.
The TRIPS Agreement places the rights of a patent holder on a higher pedestal than obligations.
However, it does not confer corresponding rights to countries or indigenous communities whose
bio-resources or traditional knowledge are put to use.
It is for these reasons that many developing countries have highlighted implementational
issues and concerns.  While some developed countries have admitted the validity of many of these
concerns, some have avoided substantive engagement in finding solutions on the plea that these would
involve a re-negotiation of the agreements.  This is a disturbing signal.  Addressing theimplementation issues effectively upfront will alone ensure an image of fairness and equity to the
WTO.
We are committed to a strengthened, rule-based, non-discriminatory multilateral trading
system which is fair and equitable.  The central theme of any negotiations should be to focus onall-round development capable of eradicating poverty.  Economic integration cannot advance if the
interests of the poor are left behind.
We believe that trade negotiations should concentrate on core issues of market access
ensuring smooth flow of trade based on the principle of equity.  Similarly, given the emerging
prospects, we should examine the constructive role that the e-commerce and information technology
can play in our development process.  Regarding agriculture sector, the developed countries shouldeliminate export subsidies and other trade distortive support.  At the same time, future negotiations inWT/MIN(99)/ST/16
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agriculture must not in any way limit the flexibility of large rural agrarian economies to support and
protect their domestic production as well as achieve the objectives of food security and rural
employment.
I would like to also add that we are opening up our economy to foreign investment in a
transparent manner and we are committed to progressive economic reforms and liberalization in our
own interest and according to our own judgement and pace.  We do not, however, subscribe to the
view that a multilateral framework on invest ment is either necessary or desirable.
Much has been said about inclusion of non-trade issues such as environment and labour
standards on the WTO agenda.  India is second to none in its commitment towards environmental
protection and sustainable development.  The very ethos of India's culture and history is not only torespect but also to worship nature.  The issue here, however, is different.  The multilateral trading
system has been designed to deal with issues involving trade and trade alone.  India in good faith had
agreed at Marrakesh to the establishment of a WTO Committee on Trade and Environment.  We
would, however, strongly oppose any attempt to either change the Committee's structure or mandate
which can be used for legitimizing unilateral trade restrictive measures.  Attempts aimed at inclusionof environmental issues in future negotiations go  beyond the competence of the multilateral trading
system and have the potential to open the floodgates of protectionism.
On the issue of labour, India is fully committed to observance of labour standards and has
ratified most ILO conventions.  We also cherish all the values of democracy, workers' rights and goodgovernance.  These issues however are not under the purview of the WTO.  At Singapore, we decided
once and for all, that labour-related issues rightly belong to the ILO.  India resolutely rejects renewed
attempts to introduce these in the WTO in one form or another.  Any further move will cause deep
divisions and distrust that can only harm the formation of a concensus on our future work programme.
The international civil society has shown keen in terest in the activities of the WTO.  While
they have a vital role to play in any democratic polity, it is really for national governments to deal
with civil society within their domestic domain.  This responsibility cannot be and should not be
transferred to the WTO.  What we can and should do is to spread greater global awareness about
WTO's activities.
Let me conclude by saying that this meeting should steer WTO in the direction of greater
equity and balance and to set ourselves a positive, achievable and trade-related agenda, which will
usher in greater prosperity for all of us.  Only if our approach is development-centric, can our work
programme act as a facilitator for accelerated growth of developing countries.  Therefore, every step
we take in the direction of trade liberalization should  ensure rewards in the form of larger markets and
greater trade-flows for all – let the welfare gains benefit everyone in the planet and not a merefortunate few.
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