Reject Doha Round proposals: CPI(M) tells govt

"India stands to lose immensely from the proposals on the table. The CPI (M) demands that the Indian government should reject the revised drafts in the upcoming WTO mini-ministerial meeting at Geneva. The Indian government should not yield any further ground in agriculture or NAMA and the matter must be discussed in Parliament," a party statement said.

Trade ministers from nearly 30 countries, including Commerce Minister Kamal Nath will attend a crucial meeting at Geneva from July 21 to 26 in an attempt to seal a deal on opening market access in areas like agriculture and non agricultural market access (Nama).

The CPI (M) has been traditionally opposed to the multilateral trade talks under the Doha Round.

Taking potshots at the US, the party said the country, along with other developed countries, was responsible for diluting protective measures like special products and special safeguards mechanism.

"On the other hand, the huge agricultural subsidies provided by the US and other advanced countries will remain," the statement added.

The CPI (M) also feels that while there is an attempt to further liberalise trade in services of developing countries, there is no progress on outstanding issues like amendment to the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights agreement, which is in the interest of nations like India.

The party has also opposed the proposals to cut India's import duties on industrial goods.