Won't back WTO protocol unless food security concerns addressed, states India in Geneva

New Delhi, July 26: Putting forth a tough stance, India, at the general council meeting of World Trade Organisation, in

on Friday stated that it will not agree to any accord on trade facilitation unless food security issue is also taken up.

India has suggested a four-point action plan that seeks to deliver by December 31 a complete package on agreements reached at the Bali ministerial that includes trade facilitation, a package for least developed countries and public stocking for food security, said a ET report.

India's strong worded statement has met with rattles from rich countries which hit back, accusing India of going back on what was signed in December 2013 at Bali.

India has strongly countered the accusation.

At the Bali ministerial in December, WTO members had agreed to pursue trade facilitation - A solution to the issue of public stock holding for food security and a package for least development countries.

According to Reuters report, US ambassador Michael Punke warned in a speech to the Geneva-based body on Friday, "Today, we are extremely discouraged that a small handful of members in this organization are ready to walk away from their commitments at Bali, to kill the Bali agreement, to kill the power of that good faith and goodwill we all shared, to flip the lights in this building back to dark".

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