India at the WTO
Norm-Breaker & Dealmaker
India plays a complex, disruptive role in the World Trade Organization, leveraging global trade for growth while obstructing progress on key issues to protect its national interests.
Three Pillars of Obstruction
Plurilateral Deals
India opposes plurilateral deals—where subsets of members negotiate—calling them illegal. This stalls modernization and vital agreements.
This opposition blocks the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) agreement, which is backed by 125 members and could unlock over $1 Trillion in global welfare gains.
Agricultural Negotiations
Resisting reforms, India expands its own trade-distorting domestic support to protect its large farming sector, frustrating other nations.
India provides $48 Billion in support—the WTO's highest—and, with China, holds two-thirds of global grain stocks, distorting markets.
Special Treatment (SDT)
India rejects reforms to SDT, using its "developing country" status to avoid obligations that match its economic scale.
Claims "Developing Country" Status
Gains Maximum Flexibility (SDT)
Blocks High-Standard Rules
This tactic was used to weaken the global fisheries subsidies deal by demanding excessively long phase-in periods.
India's Strategic Deadlock
Goal 1: Protect Domestic Policy
Oppose high-standard international rules that could challenge its own discriminatory trade and subsidy practices.
Goal 2: Maximize Flexibility
Preserve its ability to act unilaterally by categorizing itself as a vulnerable, developing nation, thereby avoiding stricter commitments.
The Path to Progress
1
Embrace Plurilaterals
Convince India to drop its opposition to allow progress on modern trade issues.
2
Reform Agriculture
Update rules to reflect the current market and curb abuses of domestic support.
3
Clarify SDT Status
Ensure special treatment is targeted to countries that truly need it most.
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