Terming food security is a sovereign right, India on Wednesday expressed hope that WTO members would understand its position and come up with a solution on issues concerning public stock holding of foodgrains.
"We hope that the WTO member countries understand the position India has taken. It is not just for India, but in the interest of many countries which have public stock of food grain. These are issues of sovereign right of a country," said Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharama.
"We would like WTO to address them and I am hopeful. Our expectation is that we get a permanent solution for the public stock holding of foodgrains. It is important for my national food security," she told reporters marking the 100-days of the new government. The WTO has resumed work at Geneva from September 1 after a month long vacation.
India had decided not to ratify WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), which is dear to the developed world, without any concrete movement in finding a permanent solution to its public food stock-holding issue for food security purposes. Sitharaman said the country is not isolated on the issue and several countries are understanding and supporting India's position that it took in July.