- India wants the base year for food subsidies to be fixed on the basis of the average of last 3 years rather than 1986-87 as proposed by WTO, and is confident of convincing the WTO on the same by September this year.
- India has also insisted on a ‘single undertaking principle’ to ensure simultaneous implementation of nine plus one issues agreed upon at Bali.
- India believes several other less developed countries (LDCs) are appreciative of its stand as they are unable to take a stand for various reasons.
- The purpose of a trade facilitation agreement is development, which requires inclusive growth, for which the poor have to be fed.
- This is the reason for its tough stance on the issue so as to ensure the poorest farmers get their Minimum Support Prices and that the poor are also fed through public distribution systems (PDS).
- Read at: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/wto-imbroglio-india-not-for-198687-as-base-year/article6289371.ece