India has made it clear that state-funded welfare schemes for the poor are non-negotiable, and it is willing to take the blame for delaying the World Trade Organisation's (WTO's) "trade facilitation" agreement rather than hurt the interests of small farmers.
Ahead of the WTO's two-day General Council Meeting that begins on Thursday, India has worked out a hard bargain strategy for drawing up a permanent solution on food subsidies.
India will seek a postponement of the trade facilitation agreement (TFA) to December 31, from July 31 agreed upon at WTO Bali ministerial last December. The TFA seeks to speed up procedures and make international trade easier and cheaper.
India will also insist on implementing the TFA only as a part of a single undertaking that includes a permanent solution on food security, top government sources told HT.