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]]>Under the proposed arrangement, the United States is expected to reduce import duties on several Indian products. Tariffs on select categories are likely to be lowered from the existing levels of around 50 percent to nearly 18 percent, significantly improving the competitiveness of Indian goods in the American market. In return, India will rationalise duties on a range of US industrial and agricultural imports in line with global trade practices.
The agreement is projected to open an export opportunity worth nearly 30 billion dollars for India. Sectors such as generic pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, ready-made garments, leather goods, footwear, machinery, handicrafts, plastics and rubber products are expected to benefit directly. Agricultural and food items including tea, coffee, spices, fruits, soyabean oil, animal feed, dairy inputs and processed food products are also likely to gain from improved access and lower duties.
Government sources indicated that care has been taken to ensure that the interests of Indian farmers and the domestic agriculture sector are protected. No provision in the understanding is expected to adversely impact dairy or core farming activities. The focus remains on expanding exports while maintaining food security and supporting rural livelihoods.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the framework would deepen investment and technology partnerships between the two countries and create new opportunities for farmers, workers and entrepreneurs. He added that the initiative aligns with the Make in India vision and would contribute to job creation and long-term economic growth.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described the development as a major achievement under India’s current leadership, stating that it would enhance India’s global standing as a reliable manufacturing and export hub while safeguarding national interests.
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]]>Speaking to reporters in the Parliament House complex, Gandhi said he was prevented from addressing the Lok Sabha on the President’s address after insisting on referring to an article that cited excerpts from former Army chief General M M Naravane’s unpublished memoir. He claimed this marked the first time in parliamentary history that a Leader of Opposition was not allowed to speak on such an occasion.
Gandhi alleged that the trade deal, which had remained unresolved for months, was suddenly finalised under unexplained circumstances. He claimed that the agreement amounted to a sell-out of Indian farmers and asserted that the Prime Minister was under immense pressure.
In a post on social media platform X, Gandhi said the Prime Minister was compromised and unwilling to allow debate in Parliament on issues related to General Naravane, the Epstein files and India’s surrender on tariffs.
According to Gandhi, the controversy surrounding Naravane’s remarks was only a distraction. He said the real issue was that the Prime Minister had been compromised and was afraid of scrutiny.
He further alleged that the Prime Minister was under enormous pressure and that the image built over years through massive expenditure could collapse. Gandhi claimed the farmers of India needed to understand that their labour, sacrifices and livelihoods had been traded away through the agreement.
The Congress leader said the government’s refusal to allow him to speak was evidence of fear and insecurity at the highest level.
Asked about the nature of the pressure on the Prime Minister, Gandhi referred to legal issues involving industrialist Gautam Adani in the United States and developments linked to the Epstein files. He described these as pressure points affecting the government.
The Epstein files refer to a large set of documents connected to investigations into sex trafficking by financier Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, including emails, travel records and recordings that have drawn renewed attention in recent years.
Responding to Gandhi’s allegations, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Anurag Thakur questioned whether the Congress and other opposition parties were acting in India’s national interest. He rejected claims that the Prime Minister had surrendered to external pressure.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also raised concerns over the trade agreement, saying the United States had indicated that American agricultural products would now gain access to the Indian market. She demanded clarity from the government on whether Indian farmers would be exposed to direct competition with American companies.
She said millions of Indian farmers deserved transparency on the terms of the agreement and whether their interests had been compromised.
The trade deal was announced after a phone conversation between Prime Minister Modi and US President Donald Trump. Trump said the agreement would reduce reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent from the existing 25 per cent.
Prime Minister Modi welcomed the announcement, saying he was pleased that tariffs on Made in India products had been reduced. He thanked President Trump, stating that the decision would benefit India’s economy and exporters.
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