The White House has revised the India-US trade deal factsheet within 24 hours of its release, removing mention of pulses and softening India’s purchase commitments and digital tax references.
When the United States and India announced an interim framework for a bilateral trade agreement earlier this month, the White House published an official factsheet intended to explain the key terms. However, within 24 hours, that document was quietly revised raising fresh debate among governments, farmers’ groups and political commentators.
According to the original version, India was listed as agreeing to cut tariffs on a wide swath of U.S. industrial and agricultural products specifically including “certain pulses” alongside dried distillers’ grains (DDGs), red sorghum, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruits, soybean oil, wine and spirits.
In the updated version, the term “certain pulses” has been removed entirely from that agricultural list, a significant shift given that pulses are politically sensitive in India and a staple of the nation’s food economy.
Another notable change involves what India is described as doing with respect to purchases of U.S. goods. The initial factsheet said India had “committed to buy more American products and purchase over $500 billion” of U.S. energy, information and communication technology, agricultural, coal and other products.
The revised version now says India “intends to buy” these goods a softer term that underlines political nuance rather than legal obligation.
The updated factsheet also revised language on digital trade. The earlier text stated that India “will remove its digital services taxes”, but this clause has been deleted; the new text only mentions negotiating bilateral digital trade rules to address barriers.
Diplomatic Reactions and Official Statements
The revisions come against a backdrop of both international and domestic scrutiny. Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has publicly clarified that India’s planned imports are based on commercial intent rather than binding obligations, emphasising that the term “intend” reflects the country’s strategic decisions in energy and technology purchases.
On the U.S. side, White House spokespeople have suggested the edits align the released factsheet more closely with the joint statement issued by both governments and help avoid misunderstandings over what is a politically sensitive agricultural sector for India. Analysts say this appears to be an attempt by Washington to temper expectations and respect New Delhi’s domestic economic priorities.
Meanwhile, farmer organisations in India, including the Samyukt Kisan Morcha and the All India Kisan Sabha, had already expressed concerns about the initial mention of pulses in the tariff discussions. Thousands of farmers were reportedly preparing protests on 12 February to voice fears that the trade deal would undermine domestic agricultural protections.
US–India Trade Agreement: Key Updates and What Matters
Tariff reset boosts Indian exports
The United States has lowered reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 18 per cent, easing pressure on exporters and restoring competitiveness against regional peers.
Penalty duties over Russian oil withdrawn
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order scrapping the earlier 25 per cent penalty tariff imposed on India for importing crude oil from Russia.
Zero-duty access for high-value Indian products
Indian exports such as gems and diamonds, pharmaceuticals, smartphones, select agricultural goods, tea, coffee, fruits, and handicrafts will now face zero reciprocal tariffs in the US market.
Agriculture and dairy remain protected
India has allowed limited market access to US agricultural items including dried distillers’ grains (DDGs), red sorghum used as animal feed, and soyabean oil, while continuing to shield sensitive sectors like dairy, rice, and millets.
Selective duty concessions for US imports
New Delhi has extended tariff concessions in specific areas such as alcoholic beverages, cosmetics, medical devices, and certain agri-inputs, backed by safeguards like minimum import prices.
Export sectors set for quick gains
Sectors including engineering goods, electronics, textiles, gems and jewellery, pharmaceuticals, and MSME-led handicrafts are expected to see quicker order inflows and improved market access.
Background: The Interim Trade Deal and Its Significance
The interim trade framework was announced after nearly a year of negotiations aimed at cutting tariffs, strengthening market access and deepening economic cooperation between the world’s two largest democracies.
At its core, the plan seeks to lower many Indian import duties on U.S. goods while reciprocally reducing American tariffs on Indian products to about 18 per cent from roughly 50 per cent in categories such as textiles, machinery and chemicals.
The deal also signals a broader strategic realignment as both nations pursue alternatives to reliance on China in global supply chains. India is projected to benefit from increased access to U.S. energy and technology imports, while U.S. exporters look to strengthen their foothold in a fast-growing market.
The factsheet was intended to explain these agreed terms in plain language but the quick edits indicate the delicacy of communicating such arrangements amid public scrutiny.
The initial mention of “commitments” and specific agricultural items, especially pulses, raised immediate questions about how far India was prepared to open sensitive sectors to foreign competition. India is one of the world’s largest producers and consumers of pulses like lentils and chickpeas, and tariff protections have been central to domestic price stability and food security policies.
Implications – Economic and Political
The edits to the factsheet underscore the political tightrope both governments are walking. For India, protecting sensitive agricultural items while engaging in broader trade liberalisation is critical to maintaining domestic political support.
The removal of “certain pulses” from tariff reduction lists and the shift from “committed” to “intends” may diffuse some opposition criticism and give New Delhi more flexibility to reassure farmer constituencies.
For the United States, presenting the deal as a significant market opening for U.S. exporters without overstepping into wording that could be interpreted as binding commitments is equally important. The rhetorical adjustment on digital services tax also signals that some aspects of the deal remain under negotiation or are subject to future clarification.
Analysts suggest that while the factsheet revisions may calm immediate political tensions, they also illustrate how preliminary and fluid the interim deal remains reflective less of a final, detailed treaty and more of a shared intention to deepen economic cooperation.
What This Means for the India-US Relationship
Trade experts see the rapid edits as part of a broader diplomatic balancing act. The U.S. is keen to solidify a strategic economic partnership with India, particularly amid shifting global trade patterns, but must also tailor its communications to avoid appearing to demand concessions that Indian leaders cannot constitutionally or politically accept.
Similarly, India wants to safeguard key domestic sectors while encouraging bilateral engagement that could support jobs and growth.
As negotiations continue toward a possible final trade agreement, the contours of what India will lower in tariffs and what it will protect remain central. The removal of pulses from the factsheet does not necessarily mean they are excluded from future negotiations, but it does reflect current sensitivities and the importance of accurate, careful language in international agreements.
What Next
Both sides are expected to continue talks on the full terms of a comprehensive trade pact, with ministers and negotiators clarifying outstanding areas such as digital trade, agricultural access, and specific export commitments.
Markets and industry groups will closely watch how forthcoming drafts handle these sectors. The interim framework’s evolution including how its terms are communicated will likely influence public perception and political support on both sides of the Pacific.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Diplomacy thrives on trust, transparency and clear communication. Sudden revisions to official documents, even when described as technical clarifications, can create confusion and erode confidence among stakeholders and the public.
