Don’t compromise India’s stand at WTO talks, CPM tells Govt

The CPI(M) on Monday claimed the US was putting pressure on India to accept a “glaringly iniquitous”...

The CPI(M) on Monday claimed the US was putting pressure on India to accept a “glaringly iniquitous” draft agreement at the WTO talks in Geneva, and asked the Government not to succumb as such a move would amount to another “betrayal” of national interest.

“The US President had called up the Prime Minister in this connection. The UPA Government should not compromise India’s stand at the WTO talks in Geneva,” the party said on a day Washington accused India and China of creating hurdles in the ongoing talks.

“The US is exerting pressure on India to fall in line and facilitate the adoption of an iniquitous agreement. Capitulation to US pressure would amount to another betrayal of national interest,” the party said.

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The CPI(M) demand came even as the US Trade Representative Susan Schwab said in Geneva that the Doha trade talks had been thrown into the “gravest jeopardy” by India and China which were not willing to open their markets for more imports.

Claiming that the latest draft released by the WTO Director General reflected “glaring inequities in agriculture and NAMA”, the CPI(M) said efforts were being made by developed nations led by the US “to force an agreement”, which would be inimical to the interests of the developing countries.