New Delhi, 07 February (H.S.): Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal clarified the government's stance on the India-US interim trade framework during a Saturday press conference, projecting mid-March signing while affirming zero-tariff access for Indian agricultural exports to America—reciprocally denying US agri concessions entry into India.Goyal underscored stringent safeguards: no genetically modified (GM) foods permitted; a $50 billion (₹45.3 lakh crore) five-year US import commitment unlocks the $30 trillion (₹27.18 lakh crore) market for exporters; quota-based apple relief at ₹80/kg minimum import price (MIP) plus 25% duty shields domestic growers from sub-₹100/kg influx.

He rebuked detractors misleading on farmer interests, noting their dismay at absent jeopardies: US tariffs on Indian goods slashed from 50%—encompassing 25% extra levy on Russian oil purchases—to 18%, undercutting rivals' impositions and spurring zero-duty gains on myriad items.

The pact, announced Friday, terminates today's extra US duties, bolstering farmers and fisherfolk sans compromising self-reliance; Goyal anticipates exponential exporter advantages as India accesses America's premier economy on preferential terms.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar