Ahead of the UNCTAD XI meeting at Sao Paulo, Brazil, from June 13-18, Commerce Minister Kamal Nath on Monday held substantive discussions with Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar to fine tune India's strategy on farm issues including livelihood concerns.

"By and large the collective views taken by the G-20 nations on WTO (World Trade Organisation) related issues will remain. Most importantly we have to protect the interests of our farmers and address their concerns," Pawar said after the 90-minute meeting.

He said since agriculture negotiations at WTO were at a crucial stage, the ministry had given a clear-cut briefing to the commerce ministry for a coordinated approach.

The two ministers held discussions on issues arising for India in the negotiations, particularly trade-distorting domestic support and export subsidies.

Emphasising that for India agriculture was a way of life, Kamal Nath said he would attend the meeting of Non-Group-5 including the European Union, the US, Brazil and Australia where these concerns would be highlighted.

He said India along with other G-20 members was also working on a specific farm proposal and it would be discussed at length in the meeting to be held on the sidelines of UNCTAD XI.

Kamal Nath said the strategy with regard to farm negotiations would have to be cleared by the Cabinet.

The two ministers also took stock of India's food and livelihood security concerns and underlined the importance of safeguarding the interests of farmers in the negotiations.