Question

Describe the role which India has played as an important member of World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Hint:

Mention two things. India has helped frame fair rules for the developing world, and it has met its WTO commitments by removing quantitative import restrictions and cutting tariffs.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understand the question:
The WTO is the body that sets rules for trade between nations. It replaced GATT in 1995.
We must describe the part India has played as a member. India is a founder member of the WTO, so its role can be shown through two points: rule making and commitments.

Step 2: Role 1: voice of the developing world:
India has been at the forefront of framing fair global rules and regulations.
It has argued for the interests of the developing world, for example on farm subsidies and on the need for special treatment of poorer countries.
This has helped make trade rules less one sided.

Step 3: Role 2: keeping its commitments on trade liberalisation:
India has removed quantitative restrictions on imports, as the WTO rules ask.
It has also cut tariff rates in stages, which opened its market to foreign goods.
This shows that India follows the rules while it argues for fairer ones.

Step 4: Join the two roles:
In short, India acts both as a rule maker for the developing world and as a member that keeps its own promises on trade reform.

Final Answer:
As a WTO member, India has helped frame fair global trade rules in the interest of developing countries. It has also kept its commitments by removing quantitative restrictions on imports and reducing tariff rates.