India has urged WTO members to initiate formal negotiations to reform the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) dispute settlement body (DSB). Informal discussions have hindered participation for several nations, prompting concerns. The call for formal talks came during a recent meeting of senior WTO officials in Geneva. India stressed the need for formalization to maintain the WTO’s credibility. Currently, the US is informally engaging in DSB reforms, leading to limited participation and lack of interpretation facilities. India emphasizes formal talks to ensure inclusivity and contribution from all members. The dispute settlement mechanism’s smooth functioning has faced challenges, particularly due to the US blocking appointments in the appellate body. Developing countries advocate for a two-tier system, while the US seeks alternatives to litigation, limited panel scope, and no judicial overreach in reforms. The aim is to reach a consensus by the 13th ministerial conference in Abu Dhabi next year.
