India declines market access for agri products to West

New Delhi, Mar 21 (UNI) Minister for commerce and industry Kamal Nath said today there can be no access to Indian market for subsidised agricultural products from the West.

''We are willing to constructively engage. But we cannot negotiate the livelihood of our farmers,'' he said while addressing a crucial ministerial meeting of the G-33 in Jakarta.

It is for the developed countries to come forward with credible and meaningful offers to cut subsidies and open market access.

''Asking us for flexibility is fine, but asking us for access to Indian market to subsidised agricultural products is just not acceptable,'' he said at the meet inaugurated last night.

The minister asked the G-33 to be careful: the Doha mandate and Hong Kong Declaration gives the G-33 special products and special safeguard mechanism as crucial instruments of development.

''There can be no departure form the mandate,'' he said.

UNI