WTO AND INDIA:ISSUES & NEGOTIATING STRATEGIES

This book addresses the complex issues pertaining to WTO agreements and negotiations and provides a rigorous analysis of the impact of WTO-induced reforms on the Indian economy. It also outlines what Indias strategic thinking ought to be in future multilateral negotiations under the WTO, keeping in view their long-term economic goals. Bringing together the work of several economists and policy thinkers, the volume sheds light on several questions. Why is trade liberalisation beneficial forboth developed and developing countries in their long-term economic interests? What are Indias interests in a multilateralforum like the WTO and how can India gain maximum advantage? Does India have a clear-cut and well-defined set of negotiating strategies? How have the economic reforms affected different segments of the Indian economy? Do the reform measures conform to Indias long-term economic interests? Are the benefits from the WTO-induced reforms fairly and evenly distributed across regions and population? Is there evidence to support that economic reforms have led to a decrease in income inequality and poverty in India. A brief historical overview of the WTO presents the readers with the necessary background. The book is divided into six thematic sections. Section I analyses the perspective of developing countries, with special reference to India. Section II addresses various negotiating options and strategies. Indias sectoral interests in market access are dealt with in Section III. Section IV looks at issues of trade facilitation and transparency in government procurement. Issues such as TRIPS and the GATS are considered in Section V. Finally, Section VI focuses on issues of poverty and income inequality. The volume provides a sound economic analysis of Indias proactive role in the revival of the WTO negotiations. It will be a valuable reference to scholars and students in understanding the causality between actual economic events and WTO-induced economic reforms.