Contents Include : Multilateral Trade And Food Security In The South Asian Quadrangle; Multilateral Agricultural Trade And The Us Farm Policies; Impact Of Multilateral Trade On Dairy Commodity Markets In Ldcs; Embedding Local Development To Global Markets; Dilemma Of South Asian Monetary Integration; Towards A Competitive Electricity Market In The South Asia; Understanding Global Oil Market For Development Implications In South Asia; Wto And The Global Oil Markets; Annexures.

South Asia, With Its Large Population, Has Emerged As An Important Player In The Wto And The Current Negotiations Under The Doha Round. Nevertheless, The Countries In The Region Face A Formidable Challenge In Analyzing And Synthesizing Proposals And Submissions Made By Other Wto Members. This Book Is Useful For Academics, Policy Makers, Civil Society Activists, Undergraduate Students Of Development Economics And Anyone With An Interest In The Wto Vis-A-Vis South Asia.

Wto Is Seen Largely As A Symbol Of North-South Conflict, Due To Divergent Perceptions Of The Developed And Developing Countries On The Multilateral Trading System. This North-South Divide Is Reflected In Their Ministerial Negotiations Where The Rich Countries Try To Impinge Their Ultimate Authority Over The Global Economy Leaving Thus Limited Options To The Poor Countries To Defend Their Economic Space, Notwithstanding The Fact That The Developing Countries Account For Nearly 80 Percent Of Wto Membership. There Is Now A Growing Concern Among The South Asian Countries, Including The Four Least-Developed Countries On The Restrictions Imposed By The Developed Countries In The Form Of New Clauses In The Wto Framework. The Initiation Of Liberalization In These Countries In The Early 1990S Did Not Improve The Trade Prospects Significantly. South Asian Countries In General And India In Particular Is Now Taking Keen Interest In Cooperating With The Fellow Developing Countries And Championing Their Cause At The International Fora. This Volume Attempts To Examine The Different Facets Of Implications Of Wto On South Asia, Viz., Trade Cooperation For Development And Poverty Alleviation; Agriculture; Singapore Issues; Health And Intellectual Property Rights; And China S Accession Into Wto And Other Related Issues. It Emphasizes The Stand Of South Asian Countries To Safeguard Their Trade Prospects By Protecting From The Restrictions, Imposed By The Developed Countries In Several Clauses Under Different Agreements Of Wto. It Is Hoped That This Volume Will Become An Important Addition To The Existing Literature On Wto, As It Covers The Adverse Affect Of Wto On South Asia Which Has So Far Not Been Analyzed Exhaustively.

This book examines how bilateralism and multilateralism serve as cornerstones in bringing countries together to enhance regional cooperation. It explores the unfolding dynamics of bilateral and multilateral relationships in South Asia and looks at how factors like the absence of shared identities or common threats from external sources, a lack of trust, and suspicion are manifesting as obstacles for regional cooperation. With case studies from various constituent countries, the volume studies themes such as economic cooperation in South Asia, connections through sub-regional initiatives, migration and refugee problems in the region, SAARC and terrorism, the Pashtun factor in Afghanistan–Pakistan relations, India’s interests in ASEAN and BIMSTEC, the nuclear dynamics of India–Pakistan relations, India–Bangladesh connectivity issues, Sri Lanka as a troubled island nation, and Afghanistan’s relations with the Kashmir Valley. It discusses the implications of these long-standing issues that have stood as impediments to regional cooperation and bringing new perspectives to enable greater understanding and probable solutions. A comprehensive and accessible volume, it will be useful for scholars and researchers of international relations, international trade, South Asian studies, SAARC, regional development, international and multilateral trade, political studies, geo-politics, strategic and defence studies, and peace and conflict resolution.

This book is aimed at researchers and students at graduate and post-graduate level in the field of economics and international trade. The book is written against the backdrop of sluggish progress of multilateral trade negotiations under the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO) regime which has provided impetus to the signing of regional/bilateral trade agreements the world over. This book examines the prospects and impact of regional economic cooperation in the South Asia region using various approaches; and focuses specifically on the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA). The book also includes special studies on Indian industries: pharmaceuticals, textiles and clothing, and traditional (id est lock, brassware and glassware) industries in north India. Provides a detailed analysis of the prospects and impact of regional economic cooperation in South Asia through alternative approaches Draws on the author's rich experience in the field of economics and trade to assess the prospects and impact of RTA/FTA Contributions are presented from highly knowledgeable and rich experienced researchers in the field.

Trade has played a critical role in global poverty reduction. In harnessing the potential of trade, some of the most successful countries have developed strong trade relationships with their neighbors. However, many South Asian countries have trade regimes that often offset the positive impact of geography and proximity. This report documents systematically the gaps between current and potential trade in South Asia and addresses important specific barriers that have held trade back. These barriers include tariffs and paratariffs, real and perceived nontariff barriers, connectivity costs, and the broader trust deficit. This policy-focused report unpacks these critical barriers to effective trade integration in South Asia through four in-depth studies that produce new, detailed, on-the-ground knowledge. Three of the studies are based on extensive stakeholder consultations. Two also rely on tailored surveys. The fourth study, on tariffs, benefits from new data on paratariffs. The report also marshals new evidence showing how trading regimes in South Asia discriminate against each other. Given the South Asian context, incremental, yet concrete steps aimed at tapping the potential of deeper integration are appropriate. The report has been drafted in this spirit. It offers precise, actionable policy recommendations that could help achieve measurable progress in key areas of trade and integration that would be to the advantage of all countries in the region.

In this large-scale ISEAS study, Razeen Sally looks at Southeast Asia in the World Trade Organization, against the background of national trade policy trends post-Asian crisis, sluggish ASEAN economic integration, and the recent high-speed proliferation of bilateral and regional trade negotiations. ASEAN co-operation in the WTO has broken down, with little prospect of revival. Nevertheless, Sally argues forcefully that Southeast Asia needs a liberal, rules-based multilateral trading system; and that the WTO needs active Southeast Asian participation. ASEAN countries should forge multiple coalitions, revolving around the United States and China, to restore workability and purpose to a lame, crisis-ravaged WTO. This would provide headwind for what matters most: unilateral (national) trade-and-investment liberalization and pro-competitive regulatory reforms to revive and enhance policy competitiveness in the region.