Blaming the developed world's "serious gap of attitude" as the reason behind failed talks, India has said that it is still optimistic about Doha Development round concluding positively.
"There is a serious gap of attitude because of which the talks had failed," said Indian Commerce Minister Kamal Nath, who is cut up with the hardened attitude of the US on agriculture subsidy issue.
Nath's remark comes week after the US, Indian, the European and Brazilian negotiators abandoned talks in Potsdam in Germany.
The Indian minister, however, said, "I don't see Doha Development Round petering out but hope to see it coming to a conclusion."
Nath, who was speaking at a meeting organised by the Commonwealth Business Council in London on Friday, said the G-4 (US, India, EU and Brazil) had its day. "The G-4 process has ended. We need to make it larger," he said.
Answering a question on outsourcing, Nath said there was no point in blaming the outsourcing for job losses.
"It is shifting employment pattern and technology which is affecting globally," he said, adding the future would be dictated by technology and demographics than tariff.
"If countries do not see this they are making a mistake," he said.
Nath said the WTO development round should be focusing on ensuring healthy economy in developing countries.
"Market access will make sense only if you have healthy economy," he noted.
Citing an example, Nath said India imported two million tonnes of wheat last year not because there was famine but because India needed to feed its burgeoning population, which had the purchasing power.
He said technology and innovation were crucial for healthy economic development.
Nath said Doha Development Round should correct structural flaws.
"Mainly, the US should correct its trade distorting agriculture subsidy."
He said US made provision for $17 billion agriculture subsidy while it gave only $10 billion as subsidy last year.
"We have to respect commerce but I am not going to negotiate livelihood and security of our farmers," he said.
Complimenting the European Union for taking some bold steps and making some correction, he said, "I would like the US to follow the EU's example."
Nath said Washington wanted to enrich its flourishing farm sector at the cost of millions of poor farmers in the developing countries.
