The Doha Development Round of Trade Talks is gaining momentum with the increased efforts of key players to revive it. In fact, the United States, the European Union, Brazil, and India launched another round of bilateral negotiations on Friday last week in order to push for the conclusion of the global trade talks. It must be noted that Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath flew to Geneva last Thursday in order to attend the bilateral talks. According to reports, Mr. Nath wanted to meet his Brazilian counterpart Celso Amorim in order to promote the interest of the G20, which is composed of developing countries, in the global trade talks.

While Mr. Nath met with Mr. Amorim and US Trade Representative Susan Schwab in Geneva, he was expected to fly to London in order to meet with EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson. According to reports, the bilateral negotiations in Geneva would continue the talks undertaken by the four parties in London last week. The four parties have been working closely during the recent weeks in order to achieve a breakthrough in the global trade talks.

It must be noted that some bitterness surfaced between the US and India after US media reported Ms. Schwab's comment that India was "less pro-active" in the global trade talks. According to reports, Ms. Schwab stated that while her country was making progress in its negotiations with the EU and Brazil, India showed an unwillingness to assume a leadership role. Aside from discussing with Mr. Amorim regarding the position of the G20 in the Doha Round, Mr. Nath also wanted to settle the issue with Ms. Schwab. The G20 consists of developing nations, including India, Brazil, China, Egypt, and Argentina.

The Doha Development Round of Trade Talks was launched in 2001 at the Qatari capital with the aim of eliminating or reducing all barriers to global trade. The WTO talks have also been seen as a key solution to poverty in many countries. After stalling in July 2006, the global trade talks finally resumed last January. It must be noted that the members of the World Trade Organization are aiming to finish the negotiations before the TPA (trade promotion authority) of President George W. Bush ends in July this year. The WTO remains optimistic about the successful conclusion of the negotiations with the increased efforts from the members.