Archive · 30 Dec 2025
India opposes WTO investment pact inclusion
India is saying no to a big agreement called the IFD Agreement being added to the WTO's rules.
The WTO is like a club where countries make trade rules.
India thinks this agreement is about investments, which is not what the WTO should be dealing with.
They're worried it will take attention away from important things like helping farmers in developing countries.
128 countries want this agreement, but India is one of the few saying no.
South Africa used to say no too, but now they're okay with it.
Turkey wants to keep talking about it.
India is worried that if this agreement is added, other non-trade issues might try to become part of the WTO too.
India opposes the inclusion of the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement in the WTO framework.
128 countries support the IFD Agreement, but India maintains its refusal, citing it as a non-mandated initiative.
India argues that investment is a non-trade issue and its inclusion could threaten policy space for developing countries.
South Africa has shifted its stance to support the IFD Agreement, while Turkey is willing to continue dialogue.
India's opposition is seen as crucial to maintaining the WTO's focus on core development issues and preventing the inclusion of non-trade issues.
- Who
- India, South Africa, Turkey, 128 countries supporting IFD Agreement
- What
- Opposition to the inclusion of the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement in the WTO framework
- When
- Upcoming WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in March 2026
- Where
- WTO, with the upcoming conference in Cameroon
- Why
- India argues that investment is a non-trade issue and its inclusion could threaten policy space for developing countries and divert focus from core WTO development issues
- Countries supporting IFD Agreement
- 128
- Upcoming WTO Ministerial Conference
- MC14 in Cameroon, March 2026
- India's stance
- Opposes IFD Agreement inclusion
- South Africa's stance
- Previously opposed, now supports IFD Agreement
- Turkey's stance
- Willing to continue dialogue on IFD Agreement
- India's argument
- Investment is a non-trade issue, outside WTO's ambit
- Potential implications
- Could set precedent for other non-trade issues