TNM (With ANI Inputs)

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan assured on February 7 that the government has safeguarded all major crops and dairy products, prioritising farmers’ interests in the interim framework of the US-India trade agreement. Speaking in Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh, he said the deal will open US markets to Indian exports. “Our basmati rice will rock the US,” he declared.

He added, “There’s going to be a lot of benefit. It is in the favour of farmers and people of India. We have protected all the major crops and dairy products. On the other hand, farmers will get markets for export. Our Basmati rice will rock the US. Our spices will go there. This is in the best interest of farmers.”

The interim framework, announced jointly by India and the US, reaffirms their commitment to broader Bilateral Trade Agreement negotiations launched by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 13, 2025. The agreement aims to include additional market access commitments and support resilient supply chains.

Under the framework, India will eliminate or reduce tariffs on all US industrial goods and a wide range of US food and agricultural products, including dried distillers’ grains (DDGs), red sorghum for animal feed, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruit, soybean oil, wine and spirits, among others.

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasised the government’s dedication to safeguarding farmers’ interests. He stated, “Dairy, fruits, vegetables, spices, and other grains have been protected. This will safeguard the interests of domestic farmers, strengthen local agriculture through preferential access to such a large market, and mark another powerful step forward in the direction of a self-reliant India.”

Goyal outlined the protected products from imports within the trade deal. Vegetables excluded from import include frozen potatoes, peas, cucumbers and gherkins, beans, other legume vegetables (peeled or unpeeled), temporarily preserved vegetables like cucumber and mushrooms (Agaricus species), and mixed canned vegetables.

The safeguarded dairy products comprise milk (liquid, powdered, candied, etc.), cheese (including mozzarella and grated varieties), cream, butter oil, yoghurt, buttermilk, whey products, butter, and ghee.

Grains protected under the agreement encompass ragi, wheat, copra, amaranth, maize, millet, rice, barley, oats, sorghum, fine flour, and various types of flour (wheat, corn, rice, millet, etc.).

The spices that remain protected are black pepper, long and dried green chilli, cinnamon (bark, flowers, etc.), coriander, cumin, asafoetida, ginger, turmeric, celery, fenugreek, cassia, mustard, rye, husk, and other powdered spices.

Both countries committed to prompt implementation of the interim framework and to working towards concluding a comprehensive, mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement as per the agreed roadmap.

Published Date: February 25, 2026