India's stand vindicated at WTO, says government

The government Friday said the general council of WTO had adopted a decision on public stockholding for food security purposes thus "vindicating the principled stand" taken by India.

Giving a statement in the Lok Sabha on "India's stand at WTO", Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government has been able to secure an outcome which addresses India's concerns.

"Yesterday (Thursday), the general council of WTO (World Trade Organisation) adopted a decision on public stockholding for food security purposes, on the trade facilitation agreement and on post-Bali work," she said.

The minister said the decision on public stockholding for food security was a new unambiguous decision.

Sitharaman sought to take political credit for the decision but some opposition members objected to her remarks.

She said a breakthrough was achieved as "we were negotiating from a position of unassailable strength in the interests of those vulnerable sections who have no voice".

"A just cause, clearly articulated and backed by strong leadership of the prime minister made for a compelling argument. This ensured our concerns were heard, understood and addressed," she said.