TABLE 25.

India at the WTO Meetings

No. Of Place of Year Outcome Indias Role

Ministerial Occurrence

1. Singapore 1996 Information Technology Agreement was signed. In Mere Presence

addition four new issues were discussed. Trade and
Investment, Competition Policy, Transparency in
Government Procurement, and Trade Facilitation.

2. Geneva 1998 Global E-commerce Agreement was signed. Also, the Mere Presence
implementation issues were discussed.

3. Seattle 1999 The negotiations failed as several developed countries Was vocal against
wanted to incorporate environmental and labour- introduction of
standard related issues under the wings of WTO. The environmental
move was strongly opposed by developing countries. and labour-
standard related
issues under
WTO.

4. Doha A new round was launched and the concerns for Mostly singled
developing countries like India (e.g. TRIPS and Public out in its protest.
Health) were attended. The market access and However, made
implementation issues were also given due notice. its presence and
position felt for
the first time.

5. Cancun The members could not arrive at a common viewpoint Actively protested
even on the last date of the conference. The ministerial against EU-US
decided to take stock of progress in negotiations and draft on
other work under the Doha Development Agenda. The agriculture jointly
developing country solidarity at the ministerial was with other
formed for the first time. developing
countries.

6. Geneva Five member countries came forward to create an Played a

atmosphere for initiating multilateral negotiations once constructive role
again. in the process
while protecting
developing
countries
interests.

Source: Compiled from WTO Ministerial Declarations and other documents.