1. What is India's stance on e-commerce in the WTO?
India has urged member countries to collaborate in curbing the dominance of a few multinational corporations (MNCs) in the global e-commerce sector. This can be achieved by promoting competition in digital markets and enhancing cooperation among regulatory authorities.
2. Why is India's position on e-commerce at the WTO significant?
India's position highlights the need to address the unequal distribution of e-commerce benefits and the push by some wealthy nations for a plurilateral pact on e-commerce rules.
3. What is the concern regarding plurilateral talks on e-commerce rules?
Many developing nations, including India and South Africa, oppose plurilateral talks, arguing that they violate the WTO's basic principles of collective decision-making.
4. How does India propose to address anti-competitive practices in e-commerce?
India suggests that member countries collaborate to promote competition in digital markets and enhance cooperation between regulatory authorities.
5. Why is close collaboration between regulators considered essential in the e-commerce sector?
The global nature of the internet and online digital businesses requires close collaboration between regulators from different jurisdictions.
6. What feedback is India seeking from developing countries on this issue?
India is interested in understanding the constraints faced by developing countries in adopting policies to ensure competition in e-commerce and seeks suggestions on capacity-building initiatives.
7. What is the status of discussions on electronic commerce within the WTO?
The MC12 of the WTO has decided to reinvigorate discussions under the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce (WPEC), particularly with a focus on its development dimension.WTO's 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) took place in June 2022 at WTOheadquarters in Geneva
