National interest more impt than sectoral interest: Assocham

Industry body Assocham today said the Indian government must stick to national interest and not succumb to pressure from developed countries on the food security issue at the WTO.
"Developed countries.. Must be told in clear terms that the issue of farmers' security and welfare of the poor is not negotiable," Assocham Secretary General D S Rawat said.
"National interest is more important than sectoral interest and there cannot be any compromise on issues of interest to the poor and vulnerable people," he added.
India has made it clear that it will not adopt the protocol on the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) without an assurance and visible outcomes on finding a permanent solution to its public food stock holding issue for food security purposes.

India is going to state its stand in the ongoing General Council meeting in Geneva.
Last year, during the ninth Ministerial Conference of the WTO in Bali, members including India agreed on package comprising an agreement on TFA and issues relating to agriculture and development.
India had also stated that it is not against TFA as the pact is in the interest of countries who engage in international trade.