1 Uncorrected/ Not for publication- 08.12.2009 SSS-AKG/11.00/1A ...

101Uncorrected/ Not for publication- 08.12.2009CALLING ATTENTION ON THE PRESENT STATUS OFWTO NEGOTIATIONS (CONTD.)THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION (SHRI ARUN JAITLEY): Sir, theDoha round almost stands stalemated. In my view, Sir, there are fewbasic reasons that this appears to be happening. Sir, there are threechanges which have taken place over the last one decade in the globaltrade negotiations. Initially, the trade negotiations were essentially drivenby the developed world. Today, there is a change of imbalance ofpower. Today, the developing countries, particularly after the formationof several groups like G-20, have also acquired a say in the functioningof the WTO and in the negotiations. So, the balance of power itself hasslightly altered. The second is a change in the global economy whichhas taken place that across the world, consumers prefer to buy servicesand goods which are cheaper and are of the best quality. Therefore,instead of the developed world, the balance with regard to services andwith regard to goods is now tilting in favour of low-cost economies. Asa result of this, we get some obvious advantages. The third, Sir, is achange in the agenda also. Initially, the agenda in relation to agriculturewas market access. And, today, it is being counter-balanced by thewhole suggestion that there cannot be market access; trade distortionsin form of trade distorting subsidies are reduced, rationalised and someof them even finally eliminated. Sir, Mr. N.K. Singh put a very relevantquestion with regard to the state of negotiations in the services sector.Now, this is one sector in which India is capable of providing the worldwith a very large number of low-cost services, both in the matter ofmovement of natural persons and also in the matters relating to various