**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4161 on August 19, 2025, regarding a potential trade agreement with the United States and its impact on Indian agriculture, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Shri Jitin Prasada, stated the following:
a) India and the USA are currently engaged in negotiations for a multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). These negotiations include discussions on liberalizing trade in goods, encompassing non-sensitive agricultural products, with the objective of expanding trade and strengthening the trade relationship between India and the US.
b & c) The Government of India is actively engaging with relevant stakeholders, including agriculture and farming experts, to assess the interests and requirements of India's rural economy, farmers, and the agricultural sector. The government is committed to taking all necessary steps to secure and advance the country's national interest and protect the welfare of its farmers, rural economy, and agricultural sector.
Key Entities Referenced
United States of America (USA): A country negotiating a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with India.
India: A country negotiating a multisector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the USA.
Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA): A multisector trade agreement being negotiated between India and the USA.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry: The Indian ministry responsible for commerce and industry, involved in the trade agreement negotiations.
SHRI CHARANJIT SINGH CHANNI: Member of Lok Sabha who asked a question regarding the trade agreement with the US.
SHRI JITIN PRASADA: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry who provided the answer to the question.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Indian Parliament, where the question regarding the US trade agreement was raised.
Indian Agriculture Sector: The sector which will be impacted due to the trade agreement between India and USA
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4161
ANSWERED ON 19/08/2025
US TRADE AGREEMENT AND IMPACT ON INDIAN AGRICULTURE
4161. SHRI CHARANJIT SINGH CHANNI
Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री) be pleased
to state:
(a) whether the Government is considering a trade agreement with the US related to
agriculture and farming, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has assessed the impact of a fair trade agreement with the
US on India's rural economy, farmers and the agriculture sector, if so, the details
thereof; and
(c) whether the Government has consulted economists and agriculture farming experts
before proposing the terms of a bilateral trade agreement with the US, if so, the
details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्यमंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद)
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI JITIN PRASADA)
(a) India and USA are negotiating a multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). As a part
of negotiations, among other things, both sides are engaged in discussions on liberalization
of trade in goods including non-sensitive agricultural products, with the aim to expand trade
and deepen the India-US trade relationship.
(b) & (c) Government is engaged with all relevant stakeholders including agriculture, farming
experts, to assess the interests and requirements of India’s rural economy, farmers and
agricultural sector. Government is committed to take all necessary steps to secure and
advance country’s national interest and protect the welfare of our farmers, rural economy
and agriculture sector.
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