"India committed to rule-based, multilateral trade regime"

New Delhi, Mar 10 : Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, on Wednesday said that India is committed to a rule-based, multilateral trade regime which is fair and equitable and an early conclusion of the Doha Round of trade negotiations at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

However, the core concerns of the Round, namely, the development concerns of developing countries, have to be addressed, he said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

The minister said the principal aim of India's negotiating strategy in agriculture negotiations has been to protect the interests of farmers particularly with regard to their food and livelihood security.

"Substantial and effective reductions in domestic support and customs tariffs by developed countries, while enabling developing countries to protect and promote the interests of their low income and resource poor farmers, is a key priority for India and other developing countries in the agriculture negotiations."