Doha: a cul-de-sac

“Wow, this sounds amazing. That means we not only represent our problems and sufferings but also those of other countries at the forum”? Mansi queried in an amusing manner. “Yeah” I replied. “ ’coz we (the developing nations) all share the same problems” I continued. “Oh come on. Why do we not resolve our matters first and then do these charities? After all charity begins at home” exasperated Mansi said. “Yes Mansi, charity does begin at home but sometime one has to do things collectively, in unison, so that one could be heard and that’s what India has been doing at WTO from the past so many years” Som wound up my point. “Ok. So how often has this ‘voice of unison’ been heard, huh?” Mansi retorted. “khaali peeli chai nashta karne ke liye jata hain hamara commerce minister, Aur wahi bhashad de ke wapas aa jata hai. This is nice. Atleast every year he gets a chance to visit all these new places” she chuckled in a tone of pessimism. This was the scene at Mansi’s residence when the three of us were preparing for an assignment on India’s role in WTO. However, we laughed the matter off and the discussion died down after few more deliberations.

Today as I read in the newspaper about the forthcoming Doha round, I am sent back to the good old days of my college hood when we would sit together and got into these arguments. Our arguments are finished, our college life is over, but the ghost of Doha continues to haunt us. Perhaps the cremation hasn’t been done properly, that’s why it is still lingering for years as I believe it died on the very same day it was born. So, what shall we expect this September? The same old unresolved issues: Agricultural subsidies and NAMA (Non agricultural market access). I have got bored of them now. Seriously, they no longer excite me to sit up at one place and go through them. I mean why should I read the same stuff on a regular basis. But we don’t even seem to have anything else to talk about 'coz unless these issues are resolved we (The Indian govt) cannot move on to the next one. This also brings me down to another level of proposition. Though one may call it premature but I feel that our demands will never be met with. Because every single time these issues are raised, the developed nations halt their progress with some or the other impediment. They never agree with what we demand or ask for. I mean had they really wanted to settle this matter they would have done it a long time back. In contrast with the earlier (bitter) experiences, I find it extremely amusing to see the level of optimism, which Mr. Anand Sharma (Commerce Minister) enjoys for he continues to believe that everything will fall into places by the end of 2010. From where does he see this ray of hope is still a mystery to me.

Chalo, I certainly hope to see him unravel it one fine day. But till then, allow me to call this Doha declaration an impasse.

Hope I will not be sued for my blatant and premature remarks. :)