Thailand spewed venom on India in WTO, now had to pay the price

Thailand has recalled its ambassador from WTO and the reason for this is India. In fact, Thailand’s Ambassador to WTO Pitfield had made a big allegation saying that India is capturing international rice exports by purchasing rice at cheaper rates through the Public Distribution System (PDS). India had raised strong objection to these allegations of Thailand in front of WTO. Thailand recalled its ambassador to the World Trade Organization Pimchanok Wonkarpon Pitfield after India lodged a strong protest over his comments accusing India of exporting rice purchased for its food security programme.

During the WTO meeting on 29 February, Pitfield indirectly claimed that India has used food security efforts as a means to gain unfair advantage in global trade. Indian representatives vehemently denied these allegations and described them as factually incorrect and insulting. India expressed disappointment over Pitfield’s comments and lodged a strong protest with the Thai government. Indian negotiators boycotted the meeting with Thai representatives at the WTO as a sign of disapproval.

Facing intense opposition from India, Thailand removed Pitfield and appointed him the country’s foreign secretary. At the core of the dispute is a long-standing disagreement between India and developed countries, which view India’s food security programs run through the Public Distribution System (PDS) with suspicion.