Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced India's support for 22 countries seeking World Trade Organization (WTO) membership, asserting the nation's leadership role in the Global South.
Speaking during the ongoing 13th Ministerial Conference of the WTO, Goyal stated, "Twenty-two more countries have applied for WTO membership. India will take a sympathetic view of their demands and will surely support as a leader of the Global South."
During the conference, South East Asian nations, Comoros, and Timor-Leste officially joined the WTO. Goyal emphasized Prime Minister Modi's advocacy for their inclusion, saying, "PM Modi urged that both countries should get a place in the WTO. We are pleased that both countries got inducted."
Regarding India's stance within the WTO, Goyal highlighted the nation's commitment to inclusive dialogue and global cooperation. He stated, "India talks with the nation of Vasudev Kutumbakam. PM Modi in the G20 led the world with One Earth, One Future, and One Family."
Goyal emphasized India's principles of fairness and justice within the WTO framework, aiming to ensure decisions uphold the interests of Indian farmers and fishermen while advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promoting inclusive growth.
Goyal advocated for the restoration of the WTO appellate body to enforce decisions effectively. He stressed the importance of holding members accountable for adhering to WTO rules.
The 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the WTO took place from February 26 to 29 in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Ministers from around the world convened to evaluate the multilateral trading system's performance and set future agendas.
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