St. Petersburg: Voicing serious concern at rising protectionism in developed countries, India and four other countries attending the outreach meeting of the G8 on Monday made a strong pitch for eliminating subsidies, high tariffs and other trade barriers generating distortions in the world agricultural market.

The Doha round of WTO is the best chance to open world markets, level the playing field, share wealth and create jobs, the outreach countries comprising India, China, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico said in a ``position paper'' to the G8 summit.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh joined Chinese President Hu Jintao and other leaders for the outreach session here to discuss a range of issues including energy security, education, infectious diseases and world trade.

Leaders of the outreach countries later met heads from the G8 countries, with Dr. Singh urging them to come out with a united stand on combating terrorism and not a segmented approach. The discussions spilled over a working lunch. The G8 comprises the U.S., Japan, Germany, Britain, Italy, France, Russia and Canada.

Describing agricultural subsidies in developed countries as not only immoral but often illegal, the outreach countries in their position paper rued that rich countries, by keeping these privileges for themselves, were exporting more poverty to already poor countries.

In addition to the elimination of export subsidies, it was urgent for developed countries to undertake effective commitments in both domestic support and market access, they said.

Noting that deadlines have been set and repeatedly missed, they contended that a consensus could be reached only if development was made the kernel of the negotiating round and the principle of special and differential treatment incorporated integrally in all aspects.

They said believing that concessions made by developing countries would magically unblock negotiations was an illusion, and asked developed countries to assume their responsibility in moving the process forward.

``The key to the end of distortions lies in the hands of those who distort,'' the paper said.

The outreach countries also wanted developed countries to implement duty free and quota free treatment to least developed countries as early as possible.

Observing that time was running out, the five countries said the engagement of world leaders was urgently required to break the WTO deadlock and to give a ``fresh impetus'' in all areas of the negotiations underway.

Expressing concern at the negative impact of soaring energy prices on their development efforts in recent years, the countries favoured the establishment of a global energy order that is fair, equitable, secure and stable and to the benefit of the entire international community.

They stressed the importance of more compatible and balanced regulatory frameworks both at the regional and global levels.

Emphasising the significance of technological cooperation in energy research and development, they sought improved access to these technologies.

They also called for a ``new paradigm'' for international cooperation to deal with global challenges in energy security, education and infectious diseases. The countries argued that increased participation of developing countries in the decision-making processes of the UN system and other international organisations was essential to ensure more balanced and legitimate results.

Touching on the situation in Africa, they said the world community should continue to cooperate with African countries in their quest for peace, development and social justice. — PTI

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