New Delhi: A day after the joint statement on India-US interim trade agreement, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan Sunday said the deal would “give new wings to farmers’ dreams” and dismissed criticism from Congress, saying the deal fully protected the interests of the agricultural sector and farmers, with critical agricultural products being excluded. The minister also shared a detailed list of Indian agricultural products that will be exported to the US at zero tariff. Such products also include spices, tea, coffee, coconut, coconut oil, areca nut, cashew nuts, vegetable wax, avocado, banana, guava, mango, kiwi, papaya, pineapple, mushrooms and some cereals. Rejecting Congress’ claims that the deal could turn India into a “dumping ground” for US goods, Chouhan said the opposition was creating unnecessary fear and accused the party of failing to connect farmers to global markets or ensure economic stability despite being in power for a long time. Addressing a press conference in Bhopal, Chouhan said the trade deal is a model of diplomacy, development and dignity. “This is not just a commercial agreement but a symbol of India’s growing global prestige. This agreement will strengthen our economy while also giving it a new direction,” the minister said. “The biggest concern is that our staple grains should remain safe, and they are fully secured. The United States has not opened any doors for staple grains, staple fruits and dairy products,” Chouhan said, allaying concerns in some quarters that the deal would adversely affect farmers. He said some U.S. agricultural products will not be able to enter the Indian market. “Hulled cereals, flour, wheat, corn, rice, millets, potatoes, onions, peas, beans, cucumbers, mushrooms, pulse products, frozen vegetables, oranges, grapes, lemons, strawberries and mixed canned vegetables will not enter India,” he said. He further added that dairy products such as liquid milk, milk powder, cream, yogurt, buttermilk, butter, ghee, butter, paneer and paneer will not enter India. He said India would also not import black pepper, cloves, dry green chillies, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, asafoetida, ginger, turmeric, manna seeds, fenugreek, cassia seeds, mustard, rye, chaff and other powdered spices from the United States. “The message is clear – our spices and farmers are completely safe,” he said. He also highlighted the reduction in tariffs on Indian textiles compared to competing countries, which he said would boost exports and benefit cotton farmers.
