India firm on farm trade issue; G-4 talks fail

Dealing another blow to WTO's Doha Round, crucial talks between four major players at Potsdam in Germany failed on Thursday as India refused to yield any ground on giving market for farm products to rich countries.

"Talks have failed as India refused to dilute its stand on agricultural market access," Commerce Minister Kamal Nath said over phone from Germany.

"There was no convergence and there was no question of India making any compromise," he said.

The meeting of G-4 -India, Brazil, EU and the US -began on July 19 but talks broke mid-way as there was little movement in negotiations.

India insisted developing countries should be given flexibility to address their livelihood and food security concerns through the Special Products and Special Safeguard Mechanism.

However, the developed world is seeking enlarged market for their agricultural produce without committing to cut their farm subsidies.