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Govt safeguarded India's economic interests at Seattle, Maran tells Parliament

Although the work of the ministerial conference on the World Trade Organisation has been suspended, it is expected that the mandated negotiations under the provisions of the Agreement on Agriculture and the General Agreement on Trade and Services will take place as scheduled from January 1, 2000, Commerce and Industry Minister Murasoli Maran informed both Pariament today.

The mandated reviews under the various WTO agreements are also expected to be undertaken as per the time schedule provided under the respective WTO agreements, he said in a suo moto statement.

He said the Indian delegation participated effectively in the deliberations of all groups and articulated its position on various issues. "We effectively opposed the inclusion of non-trade issues like labour standards in the agenda of the WTO," he said.

Deputy Chairperson Najma Heptulla announced before adjournment in the Rajya Sabha that a two-and-half hour discussion on the minister's statement will take place on December 9 after which Maran will respond to clarifications sought by members.

India & the WTO

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