India pushes WTO to formalise technology transfer commitments ahead of 14th Ministerial Conference

In a new draft declaration for the upcoming MC14, New Delhi has called for a time-bound roadmap to institutionalize the transfer of advanced technologies, such as semiconductors and green tech, to help developing nations compete in global trade. NewsIndia pushes WTO to formalise technology transfer commitments ahead of 14th Ministerial Conference Dhirendra Kumar4 min read4 Mar 2026, 07:00 AM ISTThe 14th Ministerial Conference of the WTO will be held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from 26-29 March. Photo: AFPSummaryIn a new draft declaration for the upcoming MC14, New Delhi has called for a time-bound roadmap to institutionalize the transfer of advanced technologies, such as semiconductors and green tech, to help developing nations compete in global trade.New Delhi: India has sought to formalise and strengthen commitments on the transfer of relevant and advanced technologies to developing and least developed countries ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from 26-29 March, by circulating a draft ministerial declaration that calls for institutionalising the technology transfer agenda within the multilateral trading system, according to a WTO document reviewed by Mint.In a communication submitted to the WTO and published by WTO on 2 March, India proposed that members agree on a structured and time-bound process to facilitate access to advanced technologies, particularly environmentally sound technologies (ESTs), arguing that technology gaps are limiting the ability of developing countries to secure a fair share in global trade.Also Read | WTO cotton clash: India seeks standalone deal, US, EU push for broader reformThe draft declaration underscores that while technology is central to competitiveness in modern trade, access remains concentrated in developed economies, with barriers ranging from restrictive export controls on inputs such as semiconductor chips and rare earth minerals to high costs, funding constraints, and intellectual property-related hurdles.India has based its proposal on earlier WTO ministerial decisions. It referred to paragraph 37 of the 2001 Doha ministerial declaration and paragraph 43 of the 2005 Hong Kong ministerial declaration, both of which recognised the need for technology transfer and special treatment for developing and least developed countries.What India wantsAccording to the draft, New Delhi urged the WTO’s working group on trade and transfer of technology to engage in focused discussions on facilitating the transfer of relevant and advanced technologies, and to examine specific challenges faced by developing members in accessing, adapting and effectively using such technologies.It also called for a detailed examination of provisions relating to technology transfer across key WTO agreements including the TRIPS Agreement, the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), the Agreement on Agriculture, the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement and the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement with a view to identifying technological gaps and barriers.Also Read | China seeks WTO panel against India, targets PLI local content rulesAs per the draft, India also sought practical recommendations and a time-bound roadmap to be presented to the next ministerial conference through the general council. It also urged developed members to put in place measures, without undue delay, to facilitate the transfer of relevant and advanced technologies and to report such measures to the working group.The proposal also seeks to make technology transfer a standing agenda item of the WTO General Council, thereby institutionalising the issue within the WTO’s regular work programme.What's the significance?The move comes at a time when debates over supply -chain resilience, export controls and strategic technologies have intensified globally. It is significant as advanced technologies such as semiconductors, green technologies and digital infrastructure are emerging as central to trade competitiveness. Access to such technologies affects a country’s ability to move up the value chain, expand services exports, comply with technical standards and meet climate-related requirements.Experts said by invoking earlier ministerial mandates, New Delhi is positioning its proposal as a continuation — and operationalisation — of unfinished commitments from previous WTO ministerial conferences rather than presenting it as a new demand.Amit Singh, associate professor at the Special Centre for National Security Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, said, “By placing technology transfer at the centre of the MC14 agenda, India is attempting to frame access to advanced technologies as a trade and development issue, arguing that without meaningful technology flows, developing countries risk remaining peripheral to high-value segments of global trade."Rakesh Mohan Joshi, vice chancellor of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), said, “India’s move reflects a broader concern among developing countries that technology access is becoming the new fault line in global trade. As advanced technologies increasingly shape competitiveness, export potential and compliance with regulatory standards, the gap in