Friday, August 25 2006 17:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kuala Lumpur: India has said the chances of getting the stalled WTO talks restarted are 'limited'unless the US changed its stance, even as New Delhi along with New Zealand, Japan and Australia exchanged views on getting the discussions back on track.

Visiting Commerce Minister Kamal Nath held a series of bilateral talks with his counterparts from Japan, Australia and New Zealands on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India FTA consultations which ended last evening.

Kamal Nath met Toshiro Nikai, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, Phil Goff, Trade Minister of New Zealand and Mark Valle, Deputy Prime Minister and Trade Minister of Australia.

"India explained its position on the WTO to his counterparts from these three countries. Our position is that the talks broke down because of the US not moving on domestic support," Gopal K Pillai, Special Secretary in the Commerce and Industry ministry, who accompanied the minister, told sources.

Pillai led the Indian delegation at the Senior Officials Meeting preceding the ASEAN economic ministers meeting.

"If the US does not move, the chances of getting the talks restarted are limited," Pillai said, adding all the ministers felt that anything would start only after congressional talks.

He said the ministers also discussed Japan's proposal of a Pan Asian grouping of ASEAN plus six, including India, Australia and New Zealand.

Kamal Nath has welcomed the proposal and said it would be a good idea to study the report on the feasibility of ASEAN plus six.