India will work to protect its own interests at the World Trade Organization talks as agriculture in India is not a trade, profession or a business but a 'livelihood,' Minister for Agriculture Sharad Pawar said on Thursday.
A country like India is favourable to opening up but there has to be a level-playing field, Pawar said in a response to a question at a press briefing at the Embassy of India in Washington.
"India is a party in the G-20 and the latter has taken a particular stand. We would like to protect our interests. The developing countries' position is different from many other countries," Pawar said.
"For example, in India, more than 60 per cent of the population is totally dependent on agriculture. Agriculture is not a trade, profession or a business in India; it is a livelihood...more than 80 per cent of the farmers here are holding about two or five acres of land."
There are certain countries who are providing subsidies and are expecting certain things from developing countries and it will be difficult for "us to accept their position in toto," Pawar said.
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