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Govt rejects speculation on India-US trade deal, reaffirms support for farmers
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Saturday, 21 February, 2026, 14 : 00 PM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has strongly denied recent speculations surrounding the ongoing India-US Trade Agreement, asserting that the interests of Indian farmers remain paramount in all negotiations. Speaking from Jaipur, Rajasthan, the Minister emphasised that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government will not compromise on protecting domestic agriculture.
Chouhan made it clear that sensitive staples such as wheat, rice, maize and dairy products are completely shielded from import obligations under the trade discussions, with no imports allowed at any cost to safeguard local producers. He highlighted that India has become the world’s top rice producer, surpassing China, and reiterated the government’s resolve to maintain food security and self-sufficiency.
Addressing concerns about apple imports, the Minister clarified that while India needs around 5.5 lakh metric tonnes of apples annually, only a limited quota of around 1 lakh tonnes may be sourced from the United States at an added duty—seen as a diversification rather than a threat to domestic growers. He reaffirmed that soybeans and maize have not been granted concessions and that the government remains firm against dairy imports, including milk, ghee, curd and paneer, to protect India’s vast network of small and marginal dairy farmers.
Chouhan also spoke on cotton imports, noting that limited imports are necessary to support the textile industry, which in turn boosts employment and export potential. He said India’s textile exports could grow significantly, benefiting farmers and the broader rural economy. Meanwhile, spice crops such as cumin, fenugreek and psyllium will remain protected domestically while gaining zero-duty export access to markets such as the United States, offering enhanced income opportunities for growers.
Invoking Prime Minister Modi’s pledge to safeguard national interests and champion farmer welfare, the Minister stressed that every international agreement is being evaluated through a “farmer-first” lens, ensuring that India’s agricultural backbone remains secure and thriving.
Overall, the government aims to reassure stakeholders that trade policy will continue to balance global engagement with robust protections for India’s farmers.
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