Lok Sabha Question No. 1326 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-30
Subject: Collaboration with WTO Members Countries
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Dr. Pradeep Kumar Panigrahy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1326 ANSWERED ON 30/07/2024

## COLLABORATION WITH WTO MEMBERS COUNTRIES

## 1326.  DR. PRADEEP KUMAR PANIGRAHY:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मं त्री ) be pleased to state:

(a) the manner in which the Ministry is collaborating with other World Trade Organization (WTO) member countries to negotiate favourable trade agreements that benefit India's diverse industries and promote sustainable development;

(b) the  manner  in  which  the  Ministry  plan  to  engage  with  stakeholders,  including  industry representatives and trade experts, to gather insights and feedback on India's participation in the WTO and to effectively represent the country's interests in multilateral trade negotiations; and

(c) the manner in which the Ministry plan to address any potential trade disputes within the WTO framework to safeguard India's interests and uphold fair trade practices?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य और उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद)

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) Collaboration  with  other  WTO  Member  countries  is  done  through  (i)  Free  Trade Agreements  (ii)  Preferential  Trade  Agreements  and  (iii)  bilateral  Joint  Economic  Cooperation mechanisms for expanding India's International Trade, reducing non-tariff barriers and deepening economic  integration.  Interests  of  diverse  industries  and  domestic  sensitivities  are  factored  in while  negotiating  the  agreements.  Trade  remedial  measures  such  as  safeguards  and  provisions related to sustainable development are also suitably incorporated in the Trade Agreements.

(b) In  order  to  protect India's  interests  in  the  multilateral  trade  negotiations  extensive consultations are carried out with stakeholders including industry representatives, Apex Chambers of  Commerce  and  Industry,  Industry  Associations,  Export  Promotion  Councils,  Trade  Experts, Think-tanks,  etc.  as  well  as  the  administrative  Ministries  and  Departments.  India's  position  on WTO Agenda items is firmed up after understanding the offensive  and  defensive  interests  on each issue.  Coordination  with  other  Members  of  WTO  is  also  done  to  bring  convergence  on issues.

(c) India  follows  the  rules  and  regulations  of  the  WTO  Agreements  for  addressing  any potential  trade  dispute.  Any  violation  of  WTO  rules  is  raised  in  the  Committees  and  Councils constituted under various WTO Agreements. India engages with the WTO members bilaterally to resolve trade concerns before reaching the dispute stage. If such potential trade disputes are not resolved  at  Committee  and  Council  levels,  then  the  WTO  Dispute  Settlement  Mechanism  is invoked which provides for resolving trade disputes between members, to procure a rules-based outcome that is consistent with WTO law and practice.

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