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Third world unable to take fresh WTO commitment: India

India has sought resolution of the implementation issues under the WTO ahead of the next ministerial meeting in Qatar in November and said developing countries are in no position to take any fresh commitments in this regard.

''Developing countries are already reeling under various commitments under the Uruguay round agreements and have been demanding resolution of their implementation related concerns and are not in a position to take any fresh commitments'', a background paper on the Fourth Ministerial Conference of WTO said.

Their early resolution ahead of the next ministerial meeting in November this year was essential to restore confidence of the developing countries in the WTO, it said.

"The General Council process set in motion to address the 'implementation' concerns of developing countries has not given any satisfaction even after one year'', the paper said.

India has consistently maintained that implementation issues should be addressed 'up-front' before any thought is given to a new round of negotiations.

The mandated negotiations and reviews plus effective action on implementation concerns raised by developing countries themselves constituted a broad enough agenda for all WTO members, it said, adding this should be carried on without linking them with any new round of negotiations.

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