ENA Global 2025-06-04 15:54:52 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>New Delhi, Jun 4 (KNN)</strong> World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Tuesday urged India to reconsider its opposition to a China-backed investment facilitation initiative, emphasising the need for developing country leadership ahead of next year's ministerial conference. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The appeal came during discussions with Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Okonjo-Iweala acknowledged the unprecedented disruption facing the multilateral trading system while calling on India to support the investment facilitation for the development proposal. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The WTO chief highlighted that 90 of the 126 member countries backing the initiative are developing nations, suggesting broad support within this constituency. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">India has effectively single-handedly blocked attempts to include investment facilitation as a plurilateral agreement within the WTO framework.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The Director-General framed her request within broader expectations for India's leadership role at the upcoming MC 14 ministerial meeting. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">She emphasised that India should open the way for other developing countries while acknowledging the nation's legitimate concerns regarding agricultural issues. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Okonjo-Iweala indicated that the organisation remains committed to addressing India's agricultural priorities and providing supportive responses to these concerns.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The discussions occurred against the backdrop of what Okonjo-Iweala characterised as unprecedented challenges to the multilateral trading system. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The WTO chief indicated that reform issues would feature prominently in the mini-ministerial discussions, with each member expected to present their proposals for consideration at next year's ministerial meeting. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The emphasis on reform comes as the organisation grapples with maintaining relevance and effectiveness amid evolving global trade dynamics and geopolitical tensions that have strained traditional multilateral cooperation mechanisms.</span></p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-size:14px">(KNN Bureau)</span></strong></em></p> 42324 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/global/wto-seeks-indias-backing-for-china-supported-investment-proposal-director-general 2025-06-04 15:54:52 knnindia.co.in