A day after the failure of six-nation WTO talks in Geneva, government said on Tuesday the US is unwilling to reduce domestic subsidies on farm products and made it clear that India will not budge from its position till 'structural flaws' in the global trading system are corrected.
Back from the two-day talks of G-6 countries, which were aimed at ending differences between the countries on Doha round of WTO talks, Commerce Minister Kamal Nath told the Lok Sabha there was 'no roadmap for future'.
India will hold discussions with other developing countries to chalk out future course of action, he said in reply to questions in the House.
Government will hold discussions within the country to see what to do. Noting that India will have to engage with the global economy since it is a member of the WTO, Nath emphasised that the government will safeguard the interest of Indian farmers.
There are 'structural flaws' in the rules of the international trade, he said, adding India will not accept such a trading system till these flaws are corrected.
Talks between India and five other major trading nations failed yesterday to deliver the much-needed breakthrough to end what WTO Chief Pascal Lamy has warned is a crisis at the global body.
Referring to the Doha round of WTO talks which are witnessing immense problems, Nath said the US was not ready to offer any substantial cuts in subsidy on farm products as demanded.
"The US offer (to reduce subsidies) is not enough. In fact, it is no offer," he said. The US gives $19.5 billion as domestic support, Nath added.
Do you want to discuss stock tips? Do you know a hot one? Join the Stock Market Investments Discussion Group
More from rediff