Refrain from issuing 'impulsive reactions' on WTO, BJP to govt

New Delhi, July 3 (UNI) Justifying the stand taken by India and G-20 nations at the WTO Ministerial Conference at Geneva, the BJP today, however, asked the Indian negotiators to avoid coming out with 'impulsive reactions' as they were representative of a responsible multilateral player.

Former Commerce Minister in the NDA government Arun Jaitley, who led India in the Cancun Ministerial Meeting, noted the country has a strong case and its arguments have a moral authority and economic rationale backed by majority of WTO members.

''India should rightfully plead the case of developing countries in strong and unequivocal terms and avoid any impulsive reactions,'' he said, obliquely referring to the reports of 'walk-out' by Commerce Minister Kamal Nath. ''If India has pulled out, than it would be tantamount to an over-reaction and highly embarassing step for India to attend the future round of WTO talks,'' he added.

Stressing that the United States and European Union had failed to recognise the reality that that there was a change in the balance of power in the WTO after the emegence of the G-20, consisting of countries like Brazil, India and China and other developing countries at the Doha round of negotiations in 2001, he said his party supported the G-20 and India and the developing countries' stand point.

''The developed countries cannot hope the India and other developing countries will open up their markets for the highly subsidised agricultural produces from the US and EU members without eliminating the subsidies to offer a level playing field, he said, adding such a step would be ''suicidal'' for the developing countries.

Mr Jaitley said if there was any deadlock, no decision could be taken in the WTO set-up unless the G-20, US and the EU members arrive at a consensus and hence, there was a need on the part of India to refrain from issuing any ''impulsive'' reactions.

''India's stand was based on 'continuity' and hence, it deserves support from all the political parties in India,'' he added.

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