US Urges India To Open Agriculture Sector Amid Trade Talks

New Delhi, Mar 11 (KNN) United States Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick stated on Friday that India must open its agricultural sector to American products, while indicating flexibility through potential quotas and limits in sensitive areas.

During his address at the India Today Conclave, Lutnick emphasised that the United States is pursuing a comprehensive trade agreement with India that encompasses all sectors, including agriculture. 

He described the desired arrangement as a "macro, large-scale, broad-based trade agreement with India that takes everything into account."

"It will require a different kind of thinking—big thinking," Lutnick remarked. "The Indian market for agriculture has to open up. It can't just stay closed. Now, how do you do that, and at what scale? Maybe you do quotas, maybe you set limits. You can be smarter when you have your most important trading partner on the other side of the table."

In response to Lutnick's comments, the Global Trade and Research Institute (GTRI) expressed concern, stating that while the proposals were presented as mutually beneficial, they primarily serve American interests at the expense of India's economic and strategic priorities.

"From pushing for a comprehensive trade agreement to demanding lower tariffs and greater market access, these suggestions could weaken India's trade position if accepted uncritically. 

India's response must be firm, data-driven, and aligned with national priorities to ensure balanced trade relations with the US," the GTRI cautioned.

On the same day, US President Donald Trump claimed that India has agreed to reduce tariffs after being "exposed" for trade restrictions and creating obstacles for American businesses operating in India. 

"India charges massive tariffs; you can't even sell anything into India. They are restrictive. They've agreed, by the way, that they want to cut their tariffs way down now, because somebody is finally exposing them for what they've done," Trump stated during a Friday press briefing.

Under the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement, New Delhi is considering substantial tariff concessions on US products in exchange for relief from sweeping tariffs announced by the United States, including reciprocal tariffs scheduled to take effect on April 2.

(KNN Bureau)