India Warns WTO Against Misuse of Transparency Rules at MC14
India Opposes Use of Transparency for Trade Retaliation
New Delhi, March 28 – India has cautioned members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) against using “transparency” provisions to justify trade retaliation or challenge legitimate domestic policies.The government emphasized that transparency measures must be supported by sustained capacity-building to ensure all countries—especially developing economies—can meet their obligations fairly and effectively.
What Transparency Means in WTO Framework
Transparency is a key pillar of the WTO’s Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement. It requires member nations to regularly disclose information on trade policies, subsidies, and regulatory measures to maintain a fair and predictable global trading system.US Push for Stricter Disclosure Norms Faces Resistance
The United States has been advocating stricter rules on mandatory disclosures as part of WTO reform efforts, alleging that several countries fail to timely notify subsidies, tariffs, and policy changes.However, many developing nations have expressed concerns over the proposed framework, opposing penalties for non-compliance due to limited institutional capacity.
India Highlights Need for Capacity Building
India reiterated that while it supports transparency in principle, enforcement mechanisms must account for varying capabilities among member nations.It stressed that without adequate technical and institutional support, stricter rules could disproportionately impact developing economies.
Issue Raised at WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon
The concern was raised by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal during a session on “level playing field issues” at the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) held in Yaoundé, Cameroon.The WTO Ministerial Conference is the highest decision-making body of the 166-member organization and convenes biennially to address key global trade issues.
India Calls for Fair Participation in Global Trade
India also emphasized the importance of providing all member nations with equal opportunities to build productive capacity, generate employment, and participate meaningfully in global trade.Support for Time-Bound WTO Reform with Inclusive Approach
In a separate session, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal reiterated India’s support for a time-bound restart of WTO reform discussions.He called for clearly defined milestones based on robust evidence and inclusive engagement, while warning against “cherry-picking” issues or pushing preconceived agendas.
Concerns Over Plurilateral Agreements
Agrawal also raised concerns about plurilateral agreements, stating that such arrangements could fragment the multilateral trading system.He emphasized that WTO decision-making must remain open, transparent, inclusive, and consensus-driven to maintain its credibility.
Bilateral Talks with Canada and Oman
On the sidelines of the conference, Piyush Goyal held bilateral discussions with his Canadian counterpart Maninder Sidhu to review progress on the proposed free trade agreement.He also met Omar Hejira, Oman’s Secretary of State to the Minister of Industry and Trade, to strengthen bilateral trade cooperation.
India’s stance at MC14 underscores its focus on protecting developing economies while advocating for balanced and inclusive global trade reforms.
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