Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan said in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh on Saturday (February 7, 2026) that the interests of Indian farmers have been completely protected in the trade agreement with the United States. Addressing the National Pulses Conference, Shri Chouhan said, “Many people were making noise that if the deal is signed, some tragedy will occur.

But thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the interests of the farmers have been completely protected by the agreement signed with America. ” “This agreement will benefit India.

No such product will come here which harms our farmers. All our crops are safe. This agreement will not cover neither maize, nor wheat, nor rice, nor soybean, nor poultry products, nor milk-cheese, nor ethanol, nor fuel, nor tobacco, nor any such agricultural or dairy products or spices that can affect the interests of our farmers,” said former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Chouhan.

Earlier on Saturday morning (February 7, 2026), India and the US issued a joint statement announcing that the two countries have reached the framework of an interim agreement, and will continue to work together towards a more comprehensive bilateral trade agreement. Also read: India-US trade deal highlights According to the joint statement, India will remove or reduce tariffs on all industrial goods and a “wide range” of agricultural commodities imported from the US, while the latter will reduce its tariffs on Indian imports to 18% from the current 50% by amending the related executive order.

Rejecting the allegations of the opposition, Shri Chouhan said, “The opposition in our country was making a lot of noise that the country and the farmers have been sold and the farmers will be ruined. ” The agriculture minister also said the 18% lower tariff will help Indian Basmati rice find more markets in the world and exports will increase from last year’s ₹63,000 crore.

He said, “This agreement will open new export opportunities. Basmati rice will get further expansion in the global market.

Export of spices will increase the income of farmers. Cotton producing farmers will directly benefit from the expansion of the textile sector. “.