Topic: WTO related issues
Q6. Examine the implications of subsidy-box negotiations at the WTO for India’s agriculture. Analyse how India can reconcile food-security needs with multilateral commitments. (10 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: InsightsIAS
Why the question
WTO negotiations on subsidy boxes have intensified recently, raising concerns about India’s MSP, input subsidies and food-security operations amid global scrutiny.
Key demand of the question
The question requires explaining how WTO subsidy-box rules impact India’s agriculture and analysing ways through which India can balance food-security objectives with its multilateral obligations.
Structure of the Answer
Introduction
Briefly introduce the global subsidy-box framework and link it to India’s agricultural support and food-security obligations.
Body
- Examine the implications of WTO subsidy-box negotiations for India’s MSP regime, input subsidies, and public stockholding.
- Analyse how India can reconcile food-security needs with WTO commitments through reforms in procurement, green-box shifts, DBT, and diplomatic efforts.
Conclusion
Give a forward-looking line on aligning India’s food-security architecture with a rules-based global trade regime.
