Sharma: food subsidy intact, no compromise at WTO

Says a group of 33 countries were supporting India's stand on food subsidy programme

Trade minister Anand Sharma said there would be no compromise on a flagship food subsidy programme at a WTO ministerial meeting next week that diplomats said earlier could be a stumbling block to a deal.

Sharma, who will lead the delegation to Bali, said a group of 33 countries were supporting India's stand on the food subsidy programme which he said was "sacrosanct, non- negotiable."

New Delhi has, separately, offered to raise tariff lines for duty free imports from least developing countries, he said.