Expressing that there was no threat to the unity of G-20, India said on Thursday the group of developing countries formed to address common concerns in the WTO would hold its ministerial meeting in Pakistan next month. "G-20 hasn't lost focus. Our bonds and ties will be strengthened further at the Pakistan ministerial in September," India's commerce secretary S.N. Menon said here at an FICCI-RIS seminar.
The G-20 ministerial comes as a timely show of strength, especially given apprehensions about weakening of the grouping, whose members include countries like Pakistan, India, Brazil and South Africa.
The alliance has been fighting to secure a pro-development outcome on agriculture in the ongoing WTO negotiations. Noting that the WTO members could not worked out their July approximations, Menon said with the new WTO director-general, Pascal Lamy, taking over in September, India was hopeful of talks gaining a new pace.
"We would expect agenda to be driven forward in a rigorous manner," he said, adding though chances for a deal may appear uncertain, but with September some acceleration is expected.
Speaking on the occasion, leading economist, Arjun Sengupta, observed India could play an effective role, adding it was in a position to make substantial concessions.
Sengupta also emphasised on forward movement of South Asia Free Trade Agreement. "We can make Safta happen. We can be generous and open out markets to all, including Pakistan and make Safta happen."
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