India’s stand on WTO puts into doubt its credibility: Congressmen

Two influential American lawmakers have criticised India for digging its heels in on the Trade Facilitation Agreement this week in Geneva, resulting in the collapse of World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations and said that this has put New Delhi's credibility "into doubt".

"India's actions last night to bring down implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement are completely unacceptable and put into doubt its credibility as a responsible trading partner," US House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp said.

"As we determine next steps, I am committed to the WTO as an institution, and I hope that we can salvage the Trade Facilitation Agreement, either with or without India," he said in a statement.

"It's one thing for a country to be a tough negotiator. It is entirely another to agree to a deal with your trading partners, and then just simply walk away months later, insisting instead on one-sided changes," said House Ways and Means Committee's Trade Subcommittee Chairman Devin Nunes.

"That's what India has done here by going back on its word, running the risk of eliminating any sense of good will toward it," Nunes said.

PTI