Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Wednesday made a statement in the Lok Sabha on the recently announced India-United States trade deal during the ongoing Budget Session, amid noisy protests by Opposition members that repeatedly disrupted proceedings. 

As Goyal rose to speak on the agreement confirmed late Monday night by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, Opposition MPs raised slogans in the House, making it difficult to hear his remarks. Despite the disruptions, the minister asserted that the government had safeguarded India’s key interests while negotiating the deal. 

Protection for sensitive sectors

Addressing the Lok Sabha, Goyal said the Centre had ensured full protection for sensitive sectors such as agriculture and dairy, which have traditionally remained red lines in India’s trade negotiations. “We have been successful in protecting India’s sensitive sectors, including agriculture and dairy,” he told the House. 

"India has been successful in protecting the agricultural and dairy sectors," he said, adding the deal will help promote initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Design in India’, and will make India self-reliant.

Labour-intensive sectors

He said that labour-intensive sectors will get a major boost in exports after the reduction in the tariffs to 18%, while adding that the deal will open huge opportunities for skilled Indians and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Goyal informed that both sides are working to complete the technical processes, and soon it will be announced.

Earlier on Tuesday, he said Prime Minister Modi had consistently prioritised the interests of farmers and the dairy sector in all trade discussions. “Over time, PM Modi has made several efforts to safeguard India’s agriculture and dairy sector and has never compromised on his principles. In this deal as well, we have successfully protected our sensitive sectors,” the minister said at a press conference. 

Goyal said the India-US trade deal is expected to unlock fresh investment flows and create new export opportunities across a wide range of sectors. These include emerging and high-growth areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and critical minerals, as well as engineering goods and labour-intensive industries that are key to employment generation. 

The minister further claimed that India has secured the most favourable trade terms with the US compared to other countries in the region. “Considering Prime Minister Modi’s friendship with President Trump, India has received the best trade deal among neighbouring countries, offering a strong opportunity for a brighter future for Indians,” Goyal said. 

Thanking the Prime Minister for steering the negotiations, Goyal said the agreement was concluded after months of tough and complex discussions. 

Late Monday night, Prime Minister Modi and President Trump officially confirmed the long-awaited India-US trade deal, which resulted in an immediate reduction in American tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18%. Both leaders described the agreement as a major milestone and a turning point in ties between the world’s two largest democracies.