4. Agricultural subsidies are hotly contested at the WTO negotiations. What are the concerns of developing countries, especially India, vis-a-vis the attitude of developed countries on the issue? What is Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM)? In this context, what are the reasons underlying India’s keenness on a permanent solution on public stockholding for food security?

Approach:

♤ Describe the reservations of developing countries in respect of agricultural subsidies at WTO negotiations. It should be a comparative outlook vis-a-vis developed countries.

♤ Define Special Safeguard Mechanism, and mention its ad-hoc nature.

♤ Finally, mention why India is keen on a permanent solution on public stockholding.