Examine India's evolving negotiating stance at the WTO on fisheries subsidies disciplines since the Doha Round.

Q. Examine India's evolving negotiating stance at the WTO on fisheries subsidies disciplines since the Doha Round. (15 marks, 250 words)

Since fisheries subsidies talks began in the Doha Round (2001) and were later anchored to SDG Target 14.6, India's posture has shifted from defensive protection of artisanal fishers to calibrated, conditional engagement — never a blanket rejection, but insistence on equity.

Doha-era caution and defence of small fishers (2001–2022) - India framed subsidies as a livelihood and food-security question for coastal communities, not merely a trade distortion [1]. - Pressed for robust Special & Differential Treatment — longer transition periods and policy space for low-income, resource-poor fishers — resisting uniform disciplines that ignored the overcapacity of large subsidisers (China, EU). - Invoked a "polluter-pays" logic: historically heavy subsidisers should cut first. - Secured exclusion of aquaculture and inland fisheries from the Agreement's scope, shielding its shrimp/export sector [1].

Constructive acceptance and continued advocacy (2022–2026) - Joined the consensus adoption at MC12, Geneva (June 2022) of the AFS — the first WTO pact with an environmental objective [1]. - After the Agreement's entry into force (15 September 2025) [2], India deposited its Instrument of Acceptance on 20 July 2026, becoming the 123rd party [1]. - Continues to push the pending "second wave" negotiation on overcapacity and overfishing, seeking safeguards for traditional fishers.

India's trajectory reflects a maturing from purely defensive bargaining to responsible multilateralism — balancing marine sustainability under SDG 14 with the livelihoods of millions of small fishers, and reinforcing its credibility as a rule-shaping seafood exporter.

(~247 words)

Sources: 1. India Becomes a Party to the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies by Depositing its Instrument of Acceptance — PIB (20 July 2026) — adoption at MC12 2022, aquaculture/inland exclusion, India's 20 July 2026 accession as 123rd party, livelihood/food-security framing 2. WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies enters into force — WTO (15 September 2025) — Doha-origin negotiations, SDG 14.6 linkage, entry into force on 15 September 2025