Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasised that India has absolutely protected delicate agricultural and dairy merchandise akin to maize, wheat, rice, soya, poultry, milk, cheese, ethanol, tobacco, sure greens, and meat.
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ANI
India has absolutely protected delicate agricultural and dairy merchandise akin to maize, wheat, rice, soya, poultry, milk, cheese, ethanol (gasoline), tobacco, sure greens and meat, as no responsibility concessions have been granted to the US on these items beneath the commerce settlement.
India and the US on Saturday introduced that they’ve reached a framework for an interim commerce settlement. Beneath this, the US will scale back tariffs on Indian items to 18 per cent from the sooner 50 per cent.
Farmers safeguarded
“The settlement displays India’s dedication to safeguarding farmers’ pursuits and sustaining rural livelihoods by utterly defending delicate agricultural and dairy merchandise, together with maize, wheat, rice, soya, poultry, milk, cheese, ethanol (gasoline), tobacco, sure greens and meat,” Commerce and Business Minister Piyush Goyal stated in a social media publish.
These items are delicate because it entails the livelihood of small and marginal farmers of the nation.
In different Free Commerce Agreements (FTA) additionally, India has not prolonged any import responsibility concessions on delicate agri and dairy merchandise. It has lately finalised FTAs with the European Union, the UK and Australia.
Rural economic system
Agriculture and allied actions akin to animal husbandry kind the spine of India’s rural economic system, offering employment to over 700 million folks. Not like in developed economies, the place agriculture is extremely mechanised and corporatised, in India it’s a livelihood difficulty.
India’s agriculture sector is at present protected by reasonable to excessive tariffs or import duties and laws to defend home farmers from unfair competitors.
The US agri exports to India had been USD 1.6 billion in 2024. Key exports embody Almonds (in shell, USD 868 million); Pistachios (USD 121 million), Apples (USD 21 million), Ethanol (ethyl alcohol, USD 266 million).
On condition that over 50 per cent of India’s inhabitants depends on agriculture for its livelihood, India treats all the sector as delicate. Import or customs duties are notably necessary for staple crops, dairy and key farm merchandise that maintain rural livelihoods.
Agri exports
In FY25, India’s whole agricultural exports elevated to over USD 51 billion from USD 45.7 billion in 2023-24, with a portion of this going to the US (USD 5 billion). India’s whole exports in FY25 had been USD 437 billion.
India goals to achieve USD 100 billion in mixed exports of agriculture, marine merchandise and meals and drinks within the subsequent 4 years. The primary exports embody tea, espresso, rice, some cereals, spices, cashew, oil meals, oil seeds, vegetables and fruit.
As per a joint assertion issued by each the nations, India will remove or scale back tariffs on a variety of US meals and agricultural merchandise, together with dried distillers’ grains, crimson sorghum for animal feed, tree nuts, contemporary and processed fruit, soybean oil, wine and spirits, and extra merchandise.
Printed on February 7, 2026
