The United States has revised its factsheet outlining the key terms of the proposed India–US trade deal, removing references to tariff reductions on “certain pulses” and softening language around India’s proposed $500 billion purchase of American goods. The changes are notable given the political and economic sensitivity of agricultural imports in India.
An earlier version of the White House document stated that India would eliminate or reduce tariffs on a broad range of US industrial and agricultural products, explicitly including dried distillers’ grains (DDGs), red sorghum, tree nuts, fruits, soybean oil, wine, spirits, and certain pulses. The updated factsheet omits pulses entirely, listing the remaining products without reference to the category.
India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses such as lentils, chickpeas, and dry beans. High tariffs have historically been maintained to safeguard domestic farmers, and the removal of the claim suggests New Delhi may have resisted opening this segment.
The revised document also drops explicit mention of agricultural goods in a separate section on trade purchases. Earlier language said India had “committed” to buying more than $500 billion worth of US energy, ICT, agricultural, coal, and other products. The updated version states that India “intends” to increase purchases while removing agriculture from the list altogether.
Agriculture remains a politically sensitive sector, contributing roughly one-fifth of India’s GDP. A McKinsey & Co. report estimated the sector’s value at $580–650 billion, with the potential to reach $1.4 trillion by 2035. Policymakers have traditionally been cautious about market access measures that could heighten competition for domestic producers.
In another change, the US stepped back from its earlier assertion that India would remove digital services taxes. The revised text now focuses only on negotiating bilateral digital trade rules aimed at addressing discriminatory practices and barriers to digital commerce.
The updates came shortly after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the interim trade framework, arguing that it could weaken India’s strategic autonomy and place pressure on farmers and other sectors. He also questioned references in the US factsheet that were not part of the earlier Indo-US Joint Statement, including claims related to Russian oil purchases.
The Indian government has maintained that the agreement protects domestic interests. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stated that sensitive sectors have been kept outside the deal and emphasised that farmers, artisans, and the handloom industry would not be adversely affected. He described the pact as “fair, equitable, and balanced”, adding that no concessions have been made on items considered critical for India.
