Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday said the India-US trade agreement has been reached through constructive negotiations, with complete protection of the agriculture sector with the interests of domestic farmers being paramount for the government. He said key agricultural products important to Indian farmers have been left out of the agreement.
Hitting out at Congress’ allegations of terming it a surrender, Chouhan said there was no ‘bargaining’ (bargaining) in the deal and it has been done in the best interest of the country.
Briefing the media at his residence in Bhopal, which was telecast live, he said: “This agreement does not include any product that will cause even the slightest harm to Indian farmers.”
He said, “The India-US trade agreement has given a message to the world that India’s policy is one of commitment, not compromise. With confidence we take decisions in the interest of the country.”
Chouhan alleged that despite ruling for years, the Congress party has failed to connect farmers to global markets or bring stability to the Indian economy. The Indian economy was the world’s sixth largest economy at the time of independence, but was pushed to the 11th position, he said, adding, “Now we are moving rapidly towards becoming the world’s third largest economy.”
Rejecting the Congress party’s allegation, Chouhan said, “We did not bargain, but reached an agreement through a balanced approach with constructive dialogue.”
‘Not a deal, but dedication’
The Congress party on Saturday alleged that the trade agreement has not benefited India and it is “not a deal but a surrender of the country’s self-respect and interests”. Pawan Kheda, head of the party’s media and publicity department, had said that India would soon become a dumping ground for American products, which would harm the interests of farmers and small and medium industries here. He also criticized the government for accepting the use of the words “surveillance” on India’s oil purchases by the Trump administration, calling it unprecedented.
Chouhan, on the other hand, tried to clarify that agricultural products, which are the core strength of the country’s farmers, have been kept out of the agreement. He stressed that India will not allow the entry of any genetically modified (GM) products and called it a very big decision. He said, “This will maintain the purity of Indian agriculture. Our soil and our seeds will be safe.”
Chouhan also said that no tariff concession has been given to the US on products like meat, poultry, dairy, soybean, maize, rice, wheat, sugar, coarse grains, banana, strawberry, cherry, citrus fruits, green peas, gram, moong, oilseeds, ethanol and tobacco. Also, peeled grains and flour, potatoes, onions, peas, beans, cucumbers, mushrooms, frozen vegetables, oranges, grapes, lemons and mixed canned vegetables from America will not be able to enter India.
He said dairy products including liquid, powdered and condensed milk, cream, curd, buttermilk, butter, ghee, butter oil, cheese, whey products and cottage cheese will not be allowed to enter India. Other items he lists include spices, including black pepper, cloves, dried green chilies, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, asafoetida, ginger, turmeric, oregano, fenugreek, mustard and other powdered spices that are preserved.
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Published on February 8, 2026
