Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal disclosed that 22 additional nations have submitted applications for membership in the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and India, as a leader of the Global South, pledges support to them. Speaking at the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference, he assured ANI that India will consider their requests sympathetically.
His statement coincided with Comoros and Timor-Leste’s formal accession to the WTO on February 26, a development championed by Prime Minister Modi. Goyal expressed satisfaction with their inclusion, underscoring India’s role in advocating for their membership.
Regarding India’s stance in WTO affairs, Goyal emphasized the nation’s commitment to principles of fairness, justice, and global welfare. He reiterated India’s belief in the philosophy of Vasudev Kutumbkum and its advocacy for the less privileged nations. India’s priorities, he stressed, encompass poverty alleviation, sustainable development goals (SDGs), and improving living standards, especially for farmers and fishermen.
Goyal articulated India’s demand for rebuilding trust in the WTO, emphasizing the need for robust dispute resolution mechanisms and the restoration of the appellate body. He urged for accountability and implementation of WTO decisions to uphold the integrity of the multilateral trading system.
The 13th WTO Ministerial Conference convened from February 26 to 29 in Abu Dhabi, UAE, gathering ministers worldwide to evaluate the multilateral trading system’s performance and chart its future course. As the highest decision-making body of the WTO, the Ministerial Conference holds significant sway over matters concerning international trade agreements.
