New Delhi, March 27 India and the US have agreed on a framework for an interim trade agreement, and this framework is designed to "protect domestic sensitivities" while creating new export opportunities, the government informed Parliament on Friday.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, in a written response to a query in the Lok Sabha, also said that the Indian government has taken into account the "interests of farmers" while formulating its approach.
MP Sayani Ghosh of the TMC asked the Ministry of External Affairs for a list of agricultural commodities and food products that India has "agreed to import" or "proposed to import" from the US under the "India-US trade deal", including quantities, tariff concessions, tariff-rate quotas, or other preferential terms.
India and the US announced a trade deal on February 2. The joint statement of February 7 noted that both sides have agreed on a framework for an interim trade agreement, reaffirming their commitment to ongoing negotiations towards a comprehensive Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), the MEA said.
The framework aims to promote "reciprocal and mutually beneficial" trade, enhance market access, and strengthen supply chain resilience, Singh said.
Under the framework, both sides have agreed to expand preferential market access, establish rules of origin, and address non-tariff barriers, including in areas such as medical devices, ICT goods, and agricultural products, the minister said.
It also includes cooperation on standards, digital trade, economic security, and technology, alongside efforts to enhance supply chain resilience, and reflects a shared commitment to deepen trade in advanced technologies, he added.
"The agreed framework safeguards India's core sensitivities, particularly in agriculture and dairy, while enhancing export competitiveness, especially in labor-intensive sectors, creating opportunities for MSMEs and industry, and expanding cooperation in areas such as technology, energy, and manufacturing," the government said.
"Limited and calibrated tariff concessions" have been offered on select agricultural products through quota-based mechanisms, phased concessions, and partial duty reductions, keeping in view domestic demand-supply gaps, Singh said.
The quotas are within existing import levels so as to "avoid adverse impact on domestic farmers," he said.
The agreement has been designed to "protect domestic sensitivities while creating new export opportunities. The government of India has taken into account the interests of farmers while formulating its approach," the minister said.
In a separate query by DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran, the MEA was asked the steps that have been taken to legally safeguard India's exports, given the US Supreme Court's ruling against "reciprocal tariffs" and the subsequent imposition of alternative tariffs under Section 122.
"Pursuant to the US Supreme Court judgment dated February 20, 2026, reciprocal tariffs are no longer in force. However, the US Administration, vide a Presidential Proclamation dated February 20, 2026 under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, has imposed a temporary import surcharge of 10 per cent ad valorem on select articles imported into the United States for a period of 150 days, effective from February 24, 2026," Singh said.
India remains engaged with the US side on the issue, he added.
"Ensuring stable energy prices and secure supplies to safeguard the interests of Indian consumers in a volatile energy scenario are key objectives of India's energy security policy," the MEA said.