Parliament Question: Prospective trade deal with US

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRYAND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2146 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11th MARCH, 2026 Prospective trade deal with US 2146. Smt. Ranjeet Ranjan: Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to state: (a) steps taken to address disruptions in shipments, supply chains and the growing financial stress faced by fishers, seafood and dairy exporters and allied workers as a result of US tariffs; (b) whether Government has conducted any consultation regarding the proposed India-US trade deal and its potential implications for the fisheries and dairy sectors; (c) whether Government plans to open India’s domestic market to US-origin dairy and seafood products under the trade agreement; and (d) if so, what measures are being considered to protect the livelihoods of small-scale dairy producers and traditional fishing communities? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH) (a) to (d) The negotiation of trade agreements with other countries, including the United States, is undertaken by the Department of Commerce under the Allocation of Business Rules, 1961. The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, assesses the potential implications of such agreements for the fisheries and dairy sectors and provides inputs during consultations with stakeholders. To ensure that trade agreements are aligned with India’s manufacturing and export priorities, the Government undertakes consultations with stakeholders, including industry representatives, exporters, sectoral agencies, cooperatives, apex bodies such as the National Dairy Development Board, National Fisheries Development Board, and State Governments, during the pre-negotiation phase, throughout the negotiation process, and in the post- conclusion stage. The details of negotiations between India and the United States under the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement are confidential and covered by a bilateral confidentiality arrangement between the two countries. The Government remains engaged with all stakeholders to assess the evolving impact of the U.S. tariff measures and continues to work towards mitigating their effects on Indian exports through a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy. This includes intensive engagement with the U.S. Government towards a mutually beneficial India–U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement; immediate relief through RBI’s trade-related measures and the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters; enhancement of domestic demand through next-generation GST reforms; and export-promotion initiatives such as the new Export Promotion Mission, which provides targeted support to exporters.The Government is also pursuing new Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and working to improve the utilisation of existing FTAs. Further, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, has undertaken several measures, including extensive stakeholder consultations and strategic engagements such as Investors’ Meets in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, Coastal States Fisheries Meet, Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Meet, Seafood Exporters Meet, and World Fisheries Day celebrations, focusing on strengthening value addition in seafood exports. A Round Table Conference with Ambassadors and High Commissioners from 39 countries was also convened to promote seafood exports, strengthen diplomatic engagement, encourage collaboration on sustainable fisheries, and advance technology in fisheries and aquaculture. Bilateral engagements with major importing countries are also undertaken to enhance exports of seafood and dairy. To improve the sector's global competitiveness, the Government is facilitating ease of doing business by amending regulations and streamlining imports. The Union Budget has also enhanced the duty-free import limit of specified inputs used in seafood processing from 1% to 3% of the previous year’s FOB export value to promote value-added exports. Further, sustainability and compliance initiatives include promoting Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in trawl nets, strengthening antibiotic residue controls, supporting marine mammal conservation, and launching a comprehensive traceability framework. The Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Rules, 2025, have also been notified to promote high-value, export-oriented fisheries in the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands. Through sustained efforts, the number of listed fishery and dairy establishments approved for export to the European Union, China, Russia & Brazil, has increased in recent months. As a result of these efforts, shrimp exports from India during April-January 2025-26 increased by 6.01% in quantity and 13.84% in value compared to the corresponding period of 2024-25. India has also secured comparability approval under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), strengthening long-term access to the U.S. market. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, is implementing various schemes and programmes for the holistic development of the Fisheries Sector. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the Department of Fisheries, Government of India (GoI), during the last five years, has approved projects with a total outlay of Rs. 21274.13 crore with a central share of Rs. 9189.74 crore for the development of fisheries and aquaculture in the country. As a result of various well-thought-out policies and initiatives of the Government of India, India's seafood exports have more than doubled, from ₹30,213 crore in 2013-14 to ₹62,408 crore in 2024-25. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, is implementing various schemes to supplement State Governments' efforts in promoting sustainable dairy development and supporting small and marginal dairy farmers across the country. These include the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), Supporting Dairy Cooperatives and Farmer- Producer Organisations engaged in Dairy activities (SDCFPO), Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF), National Livestock Mission (NLM), and the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP). These schemes aim to improve milk productivity in bovines, expand the network of dairy cooperatives, strengthen dairy infrastructure, address working capital requirements, enhance the availability of feed and fodder, and provide animal health services. These interventions help reduce the cost of milk production and enhance the income of milk producers from dairy farming. *****