Careful on Doha

I was pleased to read the EPW editorial (20 November 2010) in which you highlight why India should not go out of its way in playing a leading role “to conclude the dormant Doha Round of trade negotiations ‘which are being held under the auspices of the World Trade Organisation’, as they have little to offer to the country”.

As a person who was closely associated with the work relating to the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations which were held earlier and has now been following closely, the developments in the ongoing Doha Round of negotiations, I agree with the point you make that India has already indicated its willingness to make signifi cant contributions by agreeing to make substantial reductions in tariffs applicable to both industrial and agricultural products. It has also in principle agreed to open its market to foreign competition in a number of service sectors.