India–US trade deal excludes wheat, corn, and soybeans

India and the United States have reached agreements on a bilateral trade deal, but key agricultural commodities — wheat, rice, soybeans, corn, sugar, and dairy products — remain outside its scope. According to government sources, these sectors were deliberately excluded to protect Indian farmers and dairy producers from external competition.

Agriculture and the dairy industry have traditionally been sensitive issues for New Delhi due to the large share of the population employed in these sectors, as well as the political risks of opening the market to subsidized US products. Similar challenges have also arisen during India’s trade negotiations with the European Union and the United Kingdom.

At the same time, US President Donald Trump said India had agreed to expand purchases of American goods as part of a broader trade partnership. The total volume of bilateral trade is expected to reach $500 billion in the coming years.

According to India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, a significant share of imports from the United States will include energy resources, aviation equipment and components, data-center equipment, ICT technology, as well as steel and materials for infrastructure projects. India already purchases some of these products on global markets but may now increase the share of supplies from the US.

The first stage of the bilateral trade agreement has already been prepared, and the parties plan to sign a joint statement soon, while the final legal document could be completed by mid-March. The Indian government emphasizes that, despite expanding trade cooperation with the United States, protecting the national agricultural sector remains a priority.

Tags: rice, sugar, soybean, wheat, India, USA, dairy products, corn