The India-US trade pact marks a pivotal moment, unlocking priority access for Indian goods into the $30 trillion American marketplace. Detailed in an official government release Monday, the agreement features zero tariffs on vast product categories, alongside enhanced digital and tech cooperation.
Safeguards for agriculture, MSMEs, and homegrown industries underscore India’s prudent negotiations. Building on $86.35 billion in 2024 US exports, the deal targets high-labor sectors—textiles, leather, gems & jewelry, agri-exports, pharma, and tech—for explosive growth.
Key concessions include halving tariffs from 50% to 18% on $30.94 billion in goods and zeroing them on $10.03 billion. This translates to breakthroughs: $113 billion in textiles/apparel, $477 billion in machinery, and $42 billion in footwear, all now far more accessible.
Sensitive areas like dairy, meat, poultry, and grains received ironclad protection. India’s position strengthens further as the US imposes steep duties on rivals—37% on China, 20% on Vietnam/Bangladesh, 19% on key ASEAN players.
Economists predict this will not only spike exports but also attract investments, fortify supply chains, and create millions of jobs. In an era of protectionism, this deal exemplifies smart trade policy, positioning India as a resilient player on the world stage with the US as its launchpad.