Date:14/06/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/06/14/stories/2004061401470500.htm

Back India for further strengthening G-20

Our Bureau

New Delhi , June 13

INDIA has assured the G-20 that it would like to further strengthen and consolidate the group. The Commerce and Industry Minister, Mr Kamal Nath, at the G-20 meet in Sau Pololo, said the new Government attached the "highest priority" to India's role and responsibilities in the group of countries whose coming together on agriculture represented a major development in the new WTO milieu.

"When the history of negotiations is written sometime in the future, the emergence and the role of G-20 will be perceived as an important step forward in the negotiating strategy of developing countries," the minister said, addressing the meeting.

Mr Nath emphasised that protecting the interests of farmers, including food and livelihood concerns should be the primary focus at the WTO Doha Round of negotiations on agriculture, according to an official statement.