With only a few hours left for WTO members to ratify the trade facilitation pact, India today asserted that its stand remains unchanged. This was stated by Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman after her meeting with the U.S Secretary of Commerce in New Delhi.

New Delhi is pressing for an amendment to WTO norms regarding stockpile of foodgrains, an issue critical to India’s food security programme. The current WTO norms limit the value of food subsidies at 10 per cent of the total value of food grain production. However, the support is calculated at the prices that are over two-decade old.

Meanwhile hectic consultations are on in Geneva to resolve issues between developed countries and emerging economies. The WTO members have to adopt the protocol on the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) by tonight.

India has already made it clear at the WTO General Council meeting held last week in Geneva that it would not ratify the TFA until a permanent solution is found on food security issues.