“Thailand Appoints New WTO Ambassador Amid Dispute Over Rice Comments with India”

Thailand has replaced its Ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Pimchanok Vonkorpon Pitfield, following objections from India over her comments on New Delhi’s rice procurement program. India formally protested against the Thai envoy’s remarks at the WTO, accusing her of criticizing India’s public stockholding program. Pitfield has been replaced by the Thai Foreign Secretary.

India’s concerns over subsidy caps imposed by the WTO were raised during the 13th Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, which started on February 26. India emphasized the need for all policy options to promote digital industrialization, highlighting the dominance of developed countries’ firms in global e-commerce. Ongoing discussions at the conference aim to finalize agreements for adoption, with ministers still engaged in deliberations.