The G-20 alliance of developing countries led by India and Brazil is likely to come up with "better" proposals at its meeting in Geneva this week as chances of a global trade deal on WTO's Doha Round brighten.
"I am going with optimism as never before. We want to see that the G-20 also comes up with better papers... We will discuss how to narrow down differences," Commerce Minister Kamal Nath said in an interview with BBC on his participation in the G-20 meeting on November 15 and 16.
Nath said members of the G-20 wanted to recognise some of the sensitivities of developed countries as long as their own concerns of livelihood and food security are taken on board.
The G-20 members is presently discussing
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the draft text prepared by the negotiation group on agriculture.
"We are close as never before. There are papers by the chairs... there have been two months of discussion on these papers... Those who have not been converging will also move toward convergence," he said.
Nath, who has been engaged in a series of formal and informal consultations among key WTO players, said that off late a sense of urgency has been seen among the members.
"Countries do not want to see the efforts they have made over several years just fritter away. On the other hand, we see the US saying that they are able to accept the chairs papers. That being so, I see greater recognition of sensitivities," he said.
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