New Delhi, Jan. 25 -- India has backed calls for a balanced outcome on cotton at the World Trade Organization (WTO), saying issues such as domestic support, market access and development assistance need to be addressed together. India also reiterated that it already offers duty-free access for cotton imports from least-developed countries.

In contrast, major players including the United States and the European Union said any decision on cotton should be part of a broader agreement on agricultural reform, and not a separate one.

These positions were discussed during the 24th Dedicated Discussion on Cotton under the WTO Committee on Agriculture, held in November 2025 and formally reported by the WTO Secretariat on 21 January, as members i...