WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) recently concluded at the WTO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
Speaking about India’s role at the summit, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said that India has emerged as the voice of the Developing and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) at the recently concluded 12th Ministerial Conference of the WTO in Geneva.
Addressing a press conference here today after leading the Indian delegation to the MC12, Mr. Goyal said several decisions have emerged from the MC12 after a long time.
Guided by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India “batted on the forefront” during negotiations on various issues.
“In fact, a statement has also emerged out of the WTO after seven years,” said Mr. Goyal, a day after returning from the European visit.
Almost every WTO decision bears India’s signature, India is seen leading from the front, and India’s concerns are visible prominently in the outcome documents.
“We have been hundred percent successful in stating our point of view, getting our agenda approved at the talks,” said Mr. Goyal.
Mr. Goyal said there has been great progress during the MC12 at the WTO on several issues, and a slew of international agreements have been reached after a gap of several years.
India not only secured the interests of its farmers, fishermen, MSME sector, poor people, and all sections but also ensured their concerns are preserved in the future.
Mr. Goyal said we neither came under any pressure nor buckled under pressure at any time. Far from being initially projected as a “deal-breaker” by certain countries, India finally emerged as a “deal maker” at the WTO talks.
“In fact, a few countries stated that India was not allowing any agreement.” The reality was very different! The reality was that a few countries created hurdles towards an agreement with the vain hope that they could rope in India later, make India hop on the bandwagon, and that India’s voice was lost in the din,” he said.
Mr. Goyal said that before the MC12, everybody had written off multilateralism, stating that bilateralism is the way forward, but the MC12 has been the most successful conference.
“No one expected agreements on an array of issues.” We have come up with some very important decisions. WTO’s success is largely because of India’s leadership as we helped navigate everybody’s viewpoint,” he said.
Mr. Goyal said India’s motto of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The World is One Family) echoed during the MC12 and India strongly put forth the cause of the poor and vulnerable sections.
“The world has recognized that India has a point, India’s agenda has a strong reasoning. Our arguments represent the bare truth and there is sensitivity in our motive,” he said.