pmaitra
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Modi's test: WTO threatens India's food security
India has a set up plan to guarantee food security to its citizens. Why should this at all be on the negotiating table?
Will Narendra Modi bend? Or will he prove to be a man of steel? If required, should India walk out of WTO, and G-20?
SYDNEY: The world's top economies on Saturday pushed India on the scheduled rollout of trade facilitation agreement (TFA) later this month, while merely assuring that its concerns over food subsidy would be addressed.
Source: India stands alone at WTO talks - The Times of IndiaAfter a meeting of the G20 trade ministers, Australia minister for trade and investment Andrew Robb said all the countries, including India, re-committed themselves to the Bali package and there was "no dissent on the significance of TFA and the timelines".
The categorical statement from the host country came in the backdrop of India's strong push that trade agreement and the issue of food security be decided side by side, betraying New Delhi's concerns that its 'aye' on TFA now may leave it without a 'bargaining chip' when food subsidies are decided during the coming three years.
India has a set up plan to guarantee food security to its citizens. Why should this at all be on the negotiating table?
- India should not relent. Negotiating India's food security would have adverse effects.
- India could face famines, and thousands could die.
- Indian food prices affect inflation. Unbridled inflation could cause massive unrest all over the country.
- India is being arm-twisted into making concessions for countries whose agricultural products are non-competitive.
- India's food shortage would put it at the mercy of other countries, and thus influence its foreign policy.
Will Narendra Modi bend? Or will he prove to be a man of steel? If required, should India walk out of WTO, and G-20?