Thailand seeks to join consultations over India's sugar subsidies case in WTO

Thailand has expressed its interest to join the consultations sought by Guatemala under the aegis of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) dispute settlement mechanism against India's sugar subsidies.

On March 25, after Brazil and Australia, Guatemala dragged India to the WTO alleging that New Delhi's sugar subsidies to farmers are inconsistent with global trade rules.

In a communication to the WTO, Thailand said it wants to join "in the consultations requested by Guatemala in a communication circulated to WTO Members on 25 March 2019, in document entitled 'India - Measures Concerning Sugar and Sugarcane'".

Thailand has substantial trade interest in these consultations, it said, adding that in 2018 it was the world's second largest exporter of sugar with export value of USD 2,596.78 million.

"As a result of this substantial trade interest, Thailand respectfully requests that it be permitted to join the consultations in this dispute. Thailand looks forward to acceptance of this request