Cancun (Mexico): After a formidable coalition of Group of 21 countries to counter pro-developed United States (US)-European Union (EU) framework on agriculture, developing nations including India formed yet another alliance to oppose industrialised nations' move to have new investment and competition rules as part of the trade agenda of World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Besides India, the group would comprise Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Philippines, Venezuela, Cuba, Egypt, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Zambia.

The Group of 15 would have its first formal meeting on September 12 to finalise its strategy on Singapore issues comprising investment, competition policy, trade facilitation and transparency in government procurement, Commerce Minister Arun Jaitley told reporters.

India and these countries has been opposing Singapore issues while European Union and United States wanted modalities to be worked out at Cancun to start negotiations as part of the Doha development round.

PTI

India calls for corrective measures in agriculture