New Delhi

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said that India’s key economic sectors, especially agriculture and dairy, have been safeguarded under the recently concluded India–US trade agreement.

Addressing a press conference, Goyal said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently stood firm in protecting the interests of farmers and those linked to the dairy sector, while ensuring long-term growth and opportunities for them. He said the outcome of the negotiations reflects this commitment.

“The sensitive segments of our economy, particularly agriculture and dairy, remain fully protected. There is a clear sense of confidence and positivity across the country, and people are responding enthusiastically,” the minister said.

Goyal noted that the agreement has generated excitement among exporters, technology firms, investors, and those seeking to integrate India into global supply and value chains. He added that labour-intensive industries, which provide employment to millions, stand to gain significantly from the deal.

The minister’s comments come in the backdrop of remarks by US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, who said the agreement would allow the United States to expand agricultural exports to India. In a post on X, Rollins said the deal would help boost farm incomes in rural America and reduce the US agricultural trade deficit with India.

Goyal said the trade agreement opens up vast opportunities for India and described it as the most advantageous deal the country has secured compared to its competitors and neighbouring nations. He attributed this to Prime Minister Modi’s engagement with US President Donald Trump.

He also criticised opposition parties for disruptions in Parliament, saying the government was unable to make a formal statement in the House due to their conduct. As a result, he said, details of the agreement were being shared with the media instead.

The minister added that the pact would enable India to access advanced technologies from the US and accelerate progress towards the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047. He said the agreement would support initiatives such as Make in India, Design in India and Innovate in India for global markets.

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The India–US trade agreement follows closely after India concluded a major Free Trade Agreement with the European Union last month. Prime Minister Modi, after speaking with President Trump, welcomed the reduction in tariffs on Made in India products to 18 per cent, saying closer cooperation between the two democracies would unlock significant opportunities for shared growth and prosperity.