由於其會員大幅增加，世界貿易組織（WTO）在運作上與其前身關稅暨貿易總協定（General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade，簡稱GATT）有很大的不同。在多邊貿易機制裡，既有的權力中心已被追加新的權力中心，尤其是新興經濟體。發展中國家與最低度開發國家正糾集在一起以確保WTO 的協議符合渠等的期望與經濟發展的關切，但他們卻未能像議程設定一樣有同樣的成果。 本文將檢視在全球貿易體制裡正在變遷中的發展中國家交往的結構，尤其是有關印度與中國在21世紀WTO貿易治理體系所能扮演的重要角色。作者主張今日的新興發展中國家須要承擔起象徵領導地位的權力標誌的衣缽，在多邊貿易整合進一步實踐上扮演建設性的角色。這將有利於保護這些國家的國際市場通路以及亟需的國內改革。本文試圖指出像印、中這樣的新興霸權在成功達成杜哈回合（Doha round）所扮演的角色與所擔當的責任。當前經濟前景陰暗，通貨膨脹一觸即發，世界各國大幅使用貿易防衛措施，使保護主義方興未艾，WTO會員國不太可能會願意做出重大讓步使杜哈回合協商圓滿結束。然而，此時正是像印度與中國這樣的發展中國家扮演更積極角色的時候，做出必要的讓步，使陷入僵局的杜哈回合再現生機，此舉將使印、中兩國崛起成為有信譽而認真的多邊貿易協商的參與者。

The WTO (with a much enlarged membership) has functioned very differently from its predecessor GATT. The old power centers within the multilateral trade regime have been joined by new power centers, especially from the emerging economies. The developing and the least-developed members are acting in coalitions to ensure that WTO deals meet their expectations and development concerns; however, they have not had similar success in agenda-setting yet. This paper examines the changing contours of the engagement of developing countries in the global trade regime, with special reference to the important role India and China can play in the 21st century WTO system of trade governance. It argues that emerging developing countries today need to pick up the leadership mantle and play a constructive role in furthering the cause for multilateral trade integration. This will be in the larger interests of protecting their international market access as well as the much needed domestic reforms. The paper tries to identify the role and responsibilities of emerging hegemonic powers like India and China in the successful conclusion of the Doha Round.