'No opening of agri sector for devp nations'

New Delhi, Mar 23: Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath today ruled out the opening up of agricultural markets of developing countries like India to allow subsidised imports from developed countries.

At a meet with the Commonwealth Secretary General Don Mckinnon here, Mr Nath said such subsidies distorted world prices and thereby adversely impacted farmers in developing countries.

Mr Mckinnon, who is on an official visit here in connection with the International E-Partnership Summit of the Commonwealth Connects Programme, gave his views on the status of multilateral trade negotiations under Doha ruond of World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Earlier President A P J Abdul Kalam inaugurated the meet here.

India is a member of key commonwealth bodies and has a historical partnership with the Commonwealth organisation, which aims to promote democracy, good governance and tecnical assistance.

India has previously hosted this event in 1957, 1975 and 1991. It will host Commonwealth youth Games in Pune in 2008 and Commonwealth Games at New Delhi in 2010.

UNI