India Urges WTO Members to Revitalize Dispute Settlement System at MC14

At the WTO's 14th ministerial conference in Cameroon, India urged member nations to restore the functionality of the dispute settlement system, which has been ineffective for years. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized the need to reassess the moratorium on customs duties for e-commerce, highlighting its revenue implications. He called for urgent reforms within the WTO to ensure it remains responsive to global trade needs, advocating for a transparent and inclusive approach. Goyal also addressed critical agricultural issues and reaffirmed India's commitment to negotiating a comprehensive Fisheries Subsidies Agreement. The conference, which runs until March 29, aims to address these pressing trade matters.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 26, 2026, 22:09 IST

India's Call for Action at WTO Ministerial Conference

New Delhi: On Thursday, India urged members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to enhance the functionality of its dispute resolution system, which has been ineffective, leaving nations without proper recourse.

During the inaugural session of the WTO's 14th ministerial conference (MC14) in Yaounde, Cameroon, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized the importance of reassessing the ongoing moratorium on customs duties related to e-commerce.

He pointed out that the current dysfunctional dispute resolution system has hindered members from obtaining effective remedies, stressing the need to reinstate an automatic and binding mechanism.

Since 2009, the WTO's dispute resolution process has faced challenges due to the United States delaying the appointment of members to the Appellate Body.

Since 1998, WTO members have agreed to refrain from imposing customs duties on electronic transmissions, with the moratorium being extended at various ministerial conferences, which serve as the highest decision-making platform for the 166-member organization.

India has consistently highlighted the necessity of discussing the implications of the duty moratorium, given its impact on revenue.

The four-day MC14 is set to conclude on March 29.

Goyal noted that the lack of a unified understanding among members regarding the moratorium's scope, along with its significant potential consequences, necessitates a thorough reevaluation.

Regarding WTO reforms, he advocated for a transparent, inclusive, and member-driven approach that prioritizes development while adhering to fundamental principles such as non-discrimination, consensus-based decision-making, and equity.

He also stressed that the principle of special and differential treatment (S&DT) should be clearly defined, effective, and actionable.

On agricultural issues, he called for urgent action on long-standing matters such as public stockholding for food security, special safeguard mechanisms, and cotton.

India remains dedicated to negotiating a comprehensive Fisheries Subsidies Agreement that addresses both current and future fishing needs while safeguarding the livelihoods of impoverished fishers, with appropriate S&DT measures, Goyal stated.

He added that any incorporation of plurilateral outcomes into the WTO framework should be based on consensus and should not infringe upon the existing rights of non-parties or impose additional obligations.

Goyal concluded by expressing India's commitment to engaging constructively to ensure that the WTO remains pivotal to global trade, advocating for reforms that enhance its responsiveness and effectiveness in promoting development, equity, and inclusivity, particularly for the poor and marginalized, grounded in consensus and multilateralism.