India said a commitment by developed countries to reform their agricultural policies, through the reduction of domestic support, export subsidies and import tariffs, was the key to resolving differences on the contentious issue of farm trade.

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"It is only when developed countries agree to take a few steps forward by removing trade-distorting subsidies that developing countries can take a step forward in the area of market access," Commerce and Industry Minister Arun Jaitley said, while addressing the plenary session on the opening day of the fifth World Trade Organisation ministerial meeting.

The minister said Indian farmers wanted protection from the threat of subsidised agricultural exports by developed countries.

Jaitley also criticised WTO members for ignoring the development dimension of the Doha trade agenda, and pointed out the lack of progress on implementation issues and operationalisation of special and differential treatment provisions for developing and least developed countries.

Jaitley, however, said the tariff reduction formula for industrial products, proposed by the WTO, was acceptable to India.

But, it was against mandatory duty removal in certain sectors. He also said the inclusion of the Singapore issues on the negotiating agenda was not desirable.

The stand taken by India had a supporter in United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. The UN chief has supported the demands of developing countries like India, which have asked for the elimination of trade-distorting farm policies that affect the livelihood of their farmers.

"The reality of the international trading system today does not match the rhetoric (of improving the quality of life). Instead of open markets, there are too many barriers that stunt, stifle and starve.

Instead of fair competition, there are subsidies by rich countries that tilt the playing field against the poor. And instead of global rules negotiated by all, in the interest of all, and adhered to by all, there is too much closed-door decision-making, too much protection of special interests, and too many broken promises," United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Secretary-General Rubens Ricuperno said, as he read out Annan's message at the inaugural session of the meeting.