- Who’s going home naked?
The Financial Express, November 14, 2001
The EU already seems to have lost two of their most important issues, investment and competition, that they were hoping would help them to distract the public back home from concessions on agriculture. Without some kind of deal on their third issue, environment, Lamy is in danger of “going home naked.” - Arm Twisting and Horse Trading Gain Momentum
The Financial Express, November 12, 2001
Despite all the howling, countries are engaged in specific talks on the controversial text of the draft ministerial declaration being negotiated here. Arm-twisting and horse-trading tactics are accelerating as the D-Day approaches. - Six chairs in search of an agenda
The Financial Express, November 12, 2001
Unlike Seattle there are no street demonstrations happening here, but some of the southern delegates, including India, are as angry as they were at the process. The 4th ministerial conference of the WTO may be a success or a failure. - WTO: Why all the fuss over the Doha Ministerial?
The Financial Express, November 06, 2001
The WTO is an unequal treaty, but that truth applies to all countries, including the rich. If one looks at the hype in the United States over WTO it is about the same level as that in India. But, we are a tiny economic player against what the US is, despite the current downturn in the latter. - Why India should support a new trade-negotiating round
The Financial Express, September 06, 2001
Though India’s share in global trade is slightly over half-a-per cent, it has emerged as an influential voice in the international trading community. - Winning the battle, losing the war in the global trading arena
The Financial Express, August 25, 2001
After 50 years of patient progress and some hard negotiations, the international community has achieved its objective of a rules-based multilateral trading system. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) was established in the year 1995. But the question remains, is it enough to ensure a free and fair trade regime? The answer is ‘No’. - A message on labour linkage for Mr. Zoellick and Mr. Maran
The Financial Express, August 9, 2001
It might surprise him to know this, but commerce minister Murasoli Maran could be doing US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick a big favour if he says a resounding “No Way” to the very mention of labour standards in connection with the World Trade Organisation (WTO). - Why India should support a new round of negotiations
The Economic Times, August 06, 2001
A real development agenda would prioritise implementation, reform TRIPs and makes Special and Differential treatment and technical assistance operative realities. It would also include a genuine approach to the movement of labour. - Who won the banana dispute?
The Financial Express, May 26, 2001
The eight-year old EC-US banana dispute came to a swift end with the signing of a bilateral agreement between the two parties. Under the new agreement, big marketing companies like Chiquita of USA and Noboa of Ecuador will get licenses to export bananas to the European Union (EU). - South Africa deserves full support in pharma battle
The Financial Express, April 07, 2001
A case currently being considered in South Africa has profound implications for consumers in India and worldwide. The South African Government stands accused by 39 pharma companies of infringing WTO rules on intellectual property rights (IPR) and contravening its own Constitution by allowing AIDS patients to get cheaper medicines than they could under the patent regime. - Can trade sanctions eliminate child labour?
The Financial Express, January 16, 2001
The overwhelming evidence against sanctions as an approach to child labour issues only confirms that there is a need for better understanding and compassion about the issue, along with reduced trade barriers to help children in poor countries overcome their misery.