India Advocates for Fair Fisheries & Livelihoods at WTO Conference

In a post on X, Goyal stated, "Spoke at the Ministerial Session on Fisheries Subsidies at #WTOMC14, presenting India's balanced and people-centric approach to fisheries governance."

The minister underlined the critical role fisheries play in India's socio-economic fabric, noting that the sector supports the livelihoods of over 9 million fishermen. He emphasised that a majority of these are small, traditional, and artisanal fishermen who rely on sustainable fishing practices. Stressing India's commitment to conservation, Goyal pointed to longstanding measures such as the annual fishing ban, which reflects India's proactive efforts towards marine sustainability even before it gained global prominence.

Highlighting global disparities, Goyal said that overcapacity and overfishing are primarily driven by heavily subsidised industrial fleets rather than small-scale fishermen in developing countries. He stressed the importance of ensuring that global trade decisions remain equitable and do not disproportionately burden vulnerable communities dependent on fisheries for survival.

"Extended India's support for the adoption of the draft decision, while emphasising that further decisions must deliver an equitable and development-oriented outcome that protects both marine resources and livelihoods," he added.

On the sidelines of the conference, Goyal held a series of bilateral meetings with key global leaders to strengthen trade ties and discuss WTO reforms. During his interaction with Peter Kyle, the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade. The two leaders reviewed progress on the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in July 2025. The discussions also focused on key priorities under the MC14 agenda.

Goyal also met Christopher Sinckler and Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, exchanging views on WTO reforms and exploring opportunities to enhance bilateral cooperation in trade and investment.

In his meeting with WTO reform facilitators, including Espen Barth Eide and Chris Bryant, Goyal reiterated India's commitment to strengthening the multilateral trading system. He emphasised the importance of preserving core WTO principles such as consensus-based decision-making, Most Favoured Nation (MFN) norms, and Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT).

The minister also underscored Prime Minister Modi's vision of amplifying the voice of the Global South, highlighting its growing importance in shaping a fair and inclusive global trade architecture.

- ANI