India and Asean are concerned over the stalemate in WTO talks but the solution lies with developed countries, Union Commerce & Industry Minister Kamal Nath said here.

“Key to the lock of the (WTO) deadlock is not in our hands. The key is with the developed countries,” Nath said. Mr Kamal Nath, who is here to attend the Aseasn Economic Community & Dialogue partners meeting, held discussions with ministers from Singapore, Indonesia, South Korea and Vietnam.

He said the countries have expressed concern over the fate of the WTO talks and agreed that officials from member countries should engage in taking the talks forward. Saying that it will be difficult to say when the next WTO meeting will be held, Mr Kamal Nath said India wants to see the talks resume next week. The minister is expected to meet EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson on September 12. But he said  there will be some forward movement “from Geneva in every area.”