Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasised that India has fully protected sensitive agricultural and dairy products akin to maize, wheat, rice, soya, poultry, milk, cheese, ethanol, tobacco, sure greens, and meat.
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India has fully protected sensitive agricultural and dairy products 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 under the trade settlement.
India and the US on Saturday introduced that they’ve reached a framework for an interim trade settlement. Under this, the US will cut 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 sensitive agricultural and dairy products, together with maize, wheat, rice, soya, poultry, milk, cheese, ethanol (gasoline), tobacco, sure greens and meat,” Commerce and Trade Minister Piyush Goyal stated in a social media submit.
These items are sensitive because it includes the livelihood of small and marginal farmers of the nation.
In different Free Trade Agreements (FTA) additionally, India has not prolonged any import responsibility concessions on sensitive agri and dairy products. It has just lately finalised FTAs with the European Union, the UK and Australia.
Rural economic system
Agriculture and allied actions akin to animal husbandry type the spine of India’s rural economic system, offering employment to over 700 million individuals. Not like in developed economies, the place agriculture is very mechanised and corporatised, in India it’s a livelihood situation.
India’s agriculture sector is at the moment protected by average to excessive tariffs or import duties and rules 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 your complete sector as sensitive. Import or customs duties are significantly necessary for staple crops, dairy and key farm products that maintain rural livelihoods.
Agri exports
In FY25, India’s complete 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 complete exports in FY25 had been USD 437 billion.
India goals to achieve USD 100 billion in mixed exports of agriculture, marine products and meals and drinks within the subsequent 4 years. The principle exports embody tea, espresso, rice, some cereals, spices, cashew, oil meals, oil seeds, vegatables and fruits.
As per a joint assertion issued by each the nations, India will eradicate or cut back tariffs on a variety of US meals and agricultural products, together with dried distillers’ grains, purple sorghum for animal feed, tree nuts, recent and processed fruit, soybean oil, wine and spirits, and extra products.
Revealed on February 7, 2026
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