Stick to basics at WTO talks, BJP tells UPA govt

NEW DELHI: The BJP on Monday warned the Manmohan Singh government against making compromises on agricultural subsidies in the WTO negotiations. The principal Opposition party wanted the government to stick to the status-quo, and protect the interests of the farmers. ���The BJP demands that the government should not buckle under pressure from the US on slashing agricultural subsidy as it is important for 130 million agricultural households in particular, and the country in general,��� party spokesman Prakash Javadekar said here on Monday afternoon.

India had so far, the BJP spokesman pointed out, taken a position which was based on national interest, and had the approval of parties across-the-board as it was aimed at protecting the Indian farmers. ���During the NDA government, the then commerce minister Arun Jaitley arrived at this consensus. His successor Kamal Nath continued with the same position on the global platforms,������ Mr Javadekar said, adding, ���but now there is an effort to paint this stand as the roadblock in the WTO negotiations.������

The party wanted the government to stay firm in the face of the American pressure. ���Ironically, the US, which subsidies its farmers heavily, wants open access to the Indian market without providing a level-playing field. This is bound to make Indian farming uncompetitive, and harm Indian agriculture in the long-run,������ the BJP spokesman argued.

The quantum of subsidies provided by the US, according to Mr Javadekar, was to the tune of $8 billion. There were attempts to enhance it to $15 billion. ���The American position remains acceptable. The Indian government, however, is dithering from its earlier position,������ he alleged.

The Indian government���s stand on the issue, Mr Javadekar said, would be keenly watched by BJP. And, it���s not just the government���s position on agricultural subsidies during the WTO talks which would be under scrutiny. ���Its position on crucial subjects as climate change, fissile material cut-off treaty and the CTBT too be subjected to intense scrutiny. ``These are all topics of national importance, and BJP will watch the government���s moves carefully,������ Mr Javadekar said.

On climate change and CTBT too, the BJP spokesman maintained that there was a broad consensus across the political spectrum.