The head of the EU's permanent mission to Geneva, Joao Aguiar Machado, has leveled strong criticism at India for blocking consensus on a long-awaited treaty to curb harmful fishing subsidies at a recent World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting.

Machado said that "some members are unwilling to engage towards reaching consensus" on the treaty draft, singling out India for proposing a "completely different approach" to the disciplines proposed in the text. 

The official said India's position is "not helpful" for reaching consensus after years of stalled negotiations.

A draft treaty designed to reduce fishing subsidies failed to pass at the WTO on July 23. The treaty, seen as crucial for the recovery of over-fished stocks, has been in the works for over 20 years, with an initial package approved in 2022.

India raised objections to the text along with Indonesia, claiming it fails to take into account the interests of developing countries. 

Machado said India's stance serves the interests of only one country while the draft has wide support. "The elements in India’s communications are familiar to us, and we have discussed them repeatedly in the past," he said. "And when one’s ideas don’t gather support, the only way forward is by being pragmatic and trying to converge. It is certainly not by repeating ad nausea ideas that one’s views will prevail."

He added, "The draft text on the table gathers support from many Members and many developing countries; therefore, I do not think it is accurate to say that it is against the interests of developing countries."

The comprehensive rules face a ticking clock. If not in place within four years of the first treaty's ratification by two-thirds of WTO members, the entire treaty could be terminated.

Macado pledged to keep working with WTO members to finalize the negotiations, but warned, "A lot of time has already been lost!"