India-US Trade Deal: Rice, Wheat, Dairy Protected; Farmers' Interests Non-Negotiable

• Government sources confirm Indian agriculture and mass-consumption food items like rice, wheat, soybeans, corn, dairy, and sugar are excluded from the India-US trade deal.
• Agricultural imports from the US will focus on niche products not produced at scale in India, such as select dry fruits (almonds, cashews, pecans, walnuts, pistachios), avoiding disruption to domestic markets.
• Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized that the deal fully safeguards India’s agricultural interests, particularly for farm and dairy sectors, under PM Modi's guidance.
• Chouhan clarified that no sudden or disruptive entry of foreign products will harm Indian farmers, and all major crops, food grains, fruits, and dairy products remain shielded.
• The trade deal, expected to be signed as early as March, follows a period of heightened trade tensions and tariff escalations, with PM Modi and President Trump agreeing to reduce reciprocal tariffs.