India hopes for progress at WTO meet but stands firm (Reuters)

By Surojit Gupta 18 minutes ago NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India expects a World Trade Organisation ministerial meeting in Geneva next week to make progress but has the option of walking out if it does not get what it wants, Trade Minister Kamal Nath said on Wednesday. Last week, WTO mediators presented revised proposals in the core areas of agricultural and industrial goods trade, which they said contained fewer options for ministers to consider after negotiations had narrowed gaps on technical issues. "I am hopeful this meeting in WTO will lead to progress and closure, and I am optimistic," Nath told a news conference. "Of course, we have a full option to walk out. There can be no agreement unless India agrees," he added. Ministers from around 30 countries will meet to try for a long-awaited breakthrough on agriculture and... [read full story]