New Delhi: Terming Union minister Piyush Goyal’s remarks on the India-US commerce deal in Parliament “non-statement”, the Congresson Wednesday, February 4, stated his high-sounding claims go fully opposite to what the US facet has put out, and claimed that the true injury to Indian farmers will turn out to be evident as soon as the small print of the settlement are out.
The federal government on Wednesday assured Parliament that the nation’s core sensitivities in meals and agriculture have been absolutely safeguarded within the India-US commerce deal, and the pact will improve export competitiveness within the American market.
Commerce and Trade Minister Piyush Goyal made an announcement on the commerce deal first within the Lok Sabha and later within the Rajya Sabha amid disruptions by opposition MPs, who sought clarifications (on the deal) however weren’t allowed by the Chair.
Congress basic secretary in cost communications, Jairam Ramesh, stated the assertion on the India-US commerce deal learn out by Goyal in each Homes of Parliament was “really a non-statement”.
“It gives no particulars for the reason that particulars are nonetheless being negotiated. Piyush Goyal’s high-sounding claims go fully opposite to what the US president, the US secretary of agriculture, and the US commerce consultant have put out of their names on social media,” the Congress chief stated.
“It’s 100 per cent clear that Monday’s announcement of the deal on the urging of the prime minister was for grabbing headlines – nothing extra, nothing else. It was pressing and momentary injury management on his half. Nonetheless, when the small print of the deal are lastly out, the true injury to Indian farmers will turn out to be most painfully evident,” Ramesh stated.
Attacking the federal government on the India-US commerce deal within the morning, the Congress stated that spin medical doctors are at work, however any particulars on it (the deal) have nonetheless not been shared, though it’s clear that “India has made concessions on liberalising imports of agricultural objects”.
US President Donald Trump on Monday stated that India and the US have agreed to a commerce deal. On his half, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated he was delighted that “made in India merchandise will now have a lowered tariff of 18 per cent”.
Ramesh stated, “Thirty-six hours have handed since President Trump stated the India-US commerce deal was being introduced and coming into impact instantly at Mr Modi’s request.
“Spin medical doctors are at work, however we nonetheless don’t have any particulars on the deal – though it’s clear that India has made concessions on liberalising imports of agricultural objects. There may be not even a joint assertion,” Ramesh stated on X earlier than Goyal’s assertion in Parliament.
“It’s completely clear that Mr Modi pushed by way of the announcement. Why? There are at the very least three causes…,” he added.
Making an announcement quickly after the Query Hour within the Lok Sabha, Goyal stated that following the go to of Prime Minister Modi to the US in February 2025, India and the US have been engaged in common discussions with the target of concluding a balanced and mutually useful bilateral commerce settlement.
The negotiating groups of the 2 sides have engaged intensively over the past yr at varied ranges, he stated.
“Given the numerous and diversified pursuits of the 2 sides, it’s pure that either side would wish to guarantee the very best consequence whereas safeguarding the crucial and delicate sectors of their respective economies,” the commerce minister stated.
Through the course of those negotiations, Goyal stated, the Indian facet was ready to do that, specifically, by guaranteeing that the pursuits of “our agriculture and dairy sectors have been protected”.
The US facet, too, had areas that have been delicate from its viewpoint, he stated.
“Day earlier than yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump spoke over the cellphone to debate a number of problems with bilateral and worldwide significance. Subsequently, President Trump introduced a lowered price of 18 per cent for Indian exports to the US,” Goyal stated.
In an identical statements in each Homes, Goyal underlined that the speed (18 per cent) is decrease than the tariffs imposed by the US on a number of competing nations, thereby enhancing India’s export competitiveness within the US market.
The settlement additionally gives a major comparative benefit to Indian exporters, notably within the labour-intensive sectors and manufacturing, he stated.
“I want to reiterate to this august Home that India’s core sensitivities in meals and agriculture have been absolutely safeguarded,” Goyal stated.
