NewKerala.com

India's Voice Resonates at WTO MC14, Says Piyush Goyal After Cameroon Visit

Union Minister Piyush Goyal concluded a four-day visit to Cameroon, where he participated in the WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14). He stated that India's stance was clearly reflected in the conference's final outcomes, highlighting the country's influential role. Goyal emphasized that India constructively engaged on all agenda items, prioritizing the concerns of developing and least-developed nations. The minister also held bilateral meetings to build support for India's positions on critical global trade issues.

Key Points: Piyush Goyal: India's Stance Reflected in WTO MC14 Outcomes

  • India championed Global South concerns
  • Engaged on principles of fairness & inclusivity
  • Held key bilateral meetings on sidelines
  • WTO MC14 is top trade decision-making body
2 min read

Piyush Goyal wraps up 4-day Cameroon visit, says India's voice resonated at WTO MC14

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal says India's position shaped WTO talks in Cameroon, championing the Global South's concerns on trade.

"India's stance... was not only heard but also reflected in the final outcomes - Piyush Goyal"

New Delhi, March 30

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday said that India's stance at the recently concluded WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon was "not only heard but also reflected" in the final outcomes, underlining the country's growing influence in shaping global trade discussions.

Wrapping up his four-day visit to Cameroon -- where he participated in the WTO Ministerial Conference -- Goyal noted that the global trade landscape has undergone significant changes since the last such meeting was held in Africa a decade ago.

He emphasised that India played a key role in articulating the concerns of the Global South, ensuring that the needs and aspirations of developing countries and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) were given due importance during negotiations.

"India constructively engaged in all agenda items and, in areas where we had strong concerns, we took positions based on the principles of openness, fairness, non-discrimination and inclusivity," the minister said in a post on social media platform X.

Goyal added that these principles remain the cornerstone of India's engagement at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

On the sidelines of the conference, the minister held a series of bilateral meetings with several countries, trading blocs, and key African nations, which he said helped build greater understanding and support for India's positions on critical issues.

He also acknowledged the efforts of officials from the Department of Commerce, India's Permanent Mission in Geneva, and other ministries and experts, who worked extensively to safeguard the country's interests at the global forum.

Looking ahead, the minister said India will continue to engage with WTO members on key global trade issues in a transparent, constructive and good-faith manner.

The WTO Ministerial Conference is the highest decision-making body of the organisation and plays a crucial role in shaping global trade rules and policies. The MC14 conference commenced on March 26 and concluded on March 29.

The event was attended by ministers from across the world to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the multilateral trading system and to deliberate on the WTO's future agenda.

Moreover, the conference was chaired by Cameroon's Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone working in international trade, I appreciate the nuanced approach mentioned. "Constructive engagement" is key. Hope this translates to tangible benefits for MSMEs and helps create a more level playing field.
R
Rohit P
Good work! But I hope our voice also means action on the ground. We talk about fairness, but are we doing enough to remove trade barriers within our own states? First, let's make it easier to do business within India.
P
Priya S
Representing the concerns of developing nations is a big responsibility. Glad to see India stepping up. The bilateral meetings with African nations are especially important for future partnerships. Jai Hind!
M
Michael C
The principles of openness and non-discrimination sound great on paper. The real test will be in the implementation of whatever was agreed upon. Will be watching to see if this influence leads to practical outcomes for Indian exporters.
K
Kavya N
A decade since the last meeting in Africa... shows how slow these processes are. While it's positive that India's voice was heard, we need faster decision-making at the WTO to keep up with the changing world economy.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50