Agriculture and Dairy Sectors Excluded from India-US Bilateral Agreement

04-Feb-2026 03:26 PM

New Delhi. Although the US repeatedly pressured India to open its market to its agricultural and dairy products during bilateral trade talks, India did not agree.

The Union Commerce Minister has clearly stated that the agriculture and dairy sectors have been excluded from the bilateral trade agreement between India and the US. The Prime Minister had also previously stated that the interests of Indian farmers would not be compromised.

The US is the largest producer and exporter of corn, and the second-largest producer and exporter of soybeans after Brazil.

More than 90 percent of the production of these two crops in the US is of the genetically modified (GM) variety, while in India, the production, import, trade, and use of GM food crops are prohibited.

The picture will become clear only after the full details of the India-US bilateral agreement are revealed, but for now, it is reasonable to trust the Commerce Minister's statement.

Meanwhile, the US has announced a reduction in customs duties on Indian products. The suspicion arose because US President Donald Trump has a business-minded approach and never likes a losing deal.

If he has agreed to the agreement, he must certainly see some benefit for the US in it. What that benefit is remains to be seen.