To some, India's Commerce Minister Kamal Nath emerged this week as the chief spoiler of seven years of intricate World Trade Oranization (WTO) negotiations.

But to Indians, farmers and industrialists alike, he is if not quite a hero, then he is at least a source of national pride.

On Friday he was presented with a large bouquet of roses by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), which says it represents over 250,000 businesses across the country.

Courageous discussion

"He did it; took the courage to stick it out," said FICCI Secretary General Amit Mitra, as flash bulbs popped and applause rippled around an auditorium packed with diplomats, Indian politicians, business leaders and journalists.

Sticking it out meant walking away Tuesday from a deal whose advocates say could have helped ensure that millions in the developing world share the wealth-creating benefits of freer trade.

WTO talks in Geneva foundered after India, China and the United States failed to agree on terms that would allow poor countries to boost tariffs to protect domestic farmers in the event of surging farm imports.

Nath insisted Friday that India nevertheless remains committed to free trade. India has struck bilateral deals with China and Pakistan during his tenure, the country has opened to more foreign direct investment, and imports from the United States and Europe have soared.

"India is engaging with the global economy as never before," Nath said.

That does not mean, however, that India is willing to cede control over its most sensitive sectors, including automobiles, auto components, textiles, and agriculture.

Nath, a short, forceful man who represents Chhindwara, a largely poor and rural district in central India's Madhya Pradesh state, maintains that India and other developing nations have far more to lose in the agricultural sector than the US and Europe do.