November 13, 2014 6:54 PM

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India, US make headway over food security issue at WTO

Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said Indian and United States have successfully resolved their differences regarding the issue of public stock holding for food security purpose in the World Trade Organisation. Briefing media person in New Delhi, Mrs Sitharaman said that it will help in ending the impasse at WTO and also open way for implementation of Trade Facilitation Agreement,TFA. Welcoming an agreement between the United States and Indian on the issues of Trade Facilitation Agreement, U S Trade Representative, Michael Froman today released a statement, which says that on the basis of this breakthrough with India, US now looks forward to working with all WTO Members to reach a consensus that enables full implementation of all elements of the landmark Bali Package, including the Trade Facilitation Agreement. Mrs Sitharaman said, with the US agreeing to support India's proposal on public stockpiling of food, it would now go for ratification by the WTO General Council to facilitate signing of Trade Facilitation Agreement in mid December this year. Talking on the Bali Package 2013 on trade agreement ,she said that India supported this Package but there is certain area where some course correction is required. She also said that the peace clause under the Bali Package 2013 would vanish in four years therefore, it must continue to coexist . Under the peace clause, a WTO member gets immunity against penalty for breaching the food subsidy cap. The Minister further added that many nations saw merit in India's stand at WTO and India will continue pressing its stand unless the permanent solution is brought out. Our correspondent reports that this understanding comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Mr Obama in Washington in September this year.

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