Congress defends government stand on WTO talks

New Delhi, July 3 (UNI) The Congress Party today strongly supported the stand of the government at the recently-concluded WTO talks in Geneva In keeping with its focus to farmers.

AICC spokesman Abishek Manu Singhvi told mediapersons that the Indian farmer who had been special focus of the Congress and the UPA were good enough to compete with the farmers anywhere in the world, including the USA and the European Union (EU).

But Indian farmer is not expected to compete with the teasuries of the USA and the EU, he said.

''The Congress strongly believes that since agricultural produce, especially in the USA and the EUA, is heavily subsidised, India cannot afford to have direct export of agricultural produce across the board without barriers.'' Secondly, Dr Singhvi said, the party believed that the present stage of WTO talks must necessarily be focussed on the needs of developing countries and their issues should take the lead.

In this context, he underlined that agricultural interests of the USA were not represented by ordinary farmer, but by interests of multinationals.

Subsidy is a significant issue as far as India is concerned, he said, suggesting that "if Indian farmer is given a visa by the USA and the EU , then alone can these trading blocs claim level playing field.

Since this is not envisaged, it will put Indian farmer at a disadvantageous position," Dr Singhvi said.

UNI SH PS RAI1835