Tokyo: Ahead of the crucial WTO (World Trade Organisation) mini- ministerial beginning in Tokyo on February 14, India made it clear that it would not agree to any import tariff reduction on farm products unless industrialised nations commit themselves to a drastic cut on trade distorting farm subsidies.

Unless the Western countries reduce the huge financial support to the agri-sector, any lowering of the present tariff level by new Delhi would be disadvantageous to Indian farmers, a senior Indian official told reporters on the eve of the three-day mini ministerial meeting.

This is perhaps for the first time two ministers, Commerce Minister Arun Jaitley and Agriculture Minister Ajit Singh will represent India at the mini-ministerial, which would set the tone of discussions at the WTO Ministerial to be held at Cancun in Mexico in September. Over 140 countries are expected to attend the Cancun meeting.

Negotiations on Agriculture would form the core of the discussions at the Tokyo Mini-ministerial attended by 24 countries. The contentious issue of TRIPS (Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights) and Public Health would also figure prominently at the discussions.

The developing countries would also press for removal of the asymmetries in the implementation of the Uruguay Round of WTO agreements, the official said.

PTI