India should guide developing countries in WTO talks: Gutierrez

New Delhi, Feb 14 (UNI) The US today stressed that India must show the way in breaking the impasse in the Doha Round of multi-lateral trade negotiations as the leader of developing countries.

Speaking at the end of his two-day visit here, US Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said, ''India is a leader, it is perceived as a leader and followed as a leader.'' For the successful conclusion of the trade talks, New Delhi should indicate what directions it proposes to take as many developing countries were waiting to see what stand it would take, he added.

He was talking to newspersons after rounding up his trip to India during which he met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath besides business leaders.

The stalled multi-lateral trade talks are largely due to divisions among the developed and developing countries on the issue of farm subsidies, particularly by the US.

Regarding the stand adopted by the US, he said, last year the Bush administration had conveyed its willingness to take the lead in reducing subsidies. ''We are making a difficult choice and want to see reciprocity (from the developing countries). When we see a meaningful counter-proposal, we will respond significantly.'' Saying the Farm Bill xxx picking up from para 5 of DI 42 (TRADE-US-GUTIERREZ).

UNI