Piyush Goyal Leads Indian Delegation at WTO MC14

31 Mar 2026 CW Team

Following the opening session ministers convened for a ministerial conversation on foundational issues of the World Trade Organisation, including its principles. The Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal led the Indian delegation and emphasised that reform of the World Trade Organisation should be carried out through a transparent, inclusive and member-driven process that keeps development at its core. He underlined the need to uphold the organisation's foundational principles, notably non-discrimination, consensus-based decision making and equity. The minister also highlighted the importance of ensuring that reform efforts remain inclusive of developing members.

On the sidelines of the first day of MC14 Shri Goyal called on the Prime Minister of Cameroon Dion Ngute Joseph to discuss bilateral and multilateral issues and avenues to strengthen India–Cameroon cooperation. He held a bilateral meeting with the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation to focus on the MC14 agenda and engaged with counterparts from the Netherlands, France and Ethiopia to exchange views on deepening bilateral trade ties. These meetings formed part of a broader diplomatic effort by the Indian delegation to build consensus on key ministerial priorities.

Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agrawal held bilateral talks with counterparts from Chile, Paraguay, the United States, Nepal, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Peru, Russia, New Zealand and the European Union on the MC14 agenda and ways to enhance trade ties. Discussions with Chile and Peru covered the ongoing India–Chile and India–Peru free trade agreement negotiations and consultations with the European Union and New Zealand reviewed progress towards concluding the India–EU and India–New Zealand negotiations. The day ended with a ceremonial reception and a gala dinner hosted by Cameroon.

The 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (MC14) opened in Yaounde, Cameroon, on 26 March 2026 with a ceremonial session chaired by the Trade Minister of Cameroon. The session was attended by the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (DG, WTO) and trade ministers and senior representatives of member countries. On behalf of India the Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agrawal attended the opening session. The opening ceremony included a brief celebration of the entry into force of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies on 15 September 2025. Following the opening session ministers convened for a ministerial conversation on foundational issues of the World Trade Organisation, including its principles. The Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal led the Indian delegation and emphasised that reform of the World Trade Organisation should be carried out through a transparent, inclusive and member-driven process that keeps development at its core. He underlined the need to uphold the organisation's foundational principles, notably non-discrimination, consensus-based decision making and equity. The minister also highlighted the importance of ensuring that reform efforts remain inclusive of developing members. On the sidelines of the first day of MC14 Shri Goyal called on the Prime Minister of Cameroon Dion Ngute Joseph to discuss bilateral and multilateral issues and avenues to strengthen India–Cameroon cooperation. He held a bilateral meeting with the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation to focus on the MC14 agenda and engaged with counterparts from the Netherlands, France and Ethiopia to exchange views on deepening bilateral trade ties. These meetings formed part of a broader diplomatic effort by the Indian delegation to build consensus on key ministerial priorities. Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agrawal held bilateral talks with counterparts from Chile, Paraguay, the United States, Nepal, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Peru, Russia, New Zealand and the European Union on the MC14 agenda and ways to enhance trade ties. Discussions with Chile and Peru covered the ongoing India–Chile and India–Peru free trade agreement negotiations and consultations with the European Union and New Zealand reviewed progress towards concluding the India–EU and India–New Zealand negotiations. The day ended with a ceremonial reception and a gala dinner hosted by Cameroon.

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