Commerce Secy Rajesh Agrawal hails India-US trade agreement, calls it landmark

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• India-US trade deal lowers tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18%
• Leaders hail the pact as a milestone for prosperity and innovation
• Deal opens new opportunities for farmers, MSMEs, and skilled workers

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Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal on Tuesday welcomed the newly announced India–United States trade agreement, reacting to a post on X by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal that congratulated the leadership of both countries and described the pact as a milestone in bilateral ties.

Responding on X, Agrawal said, “This landmark trade deal will unlock shared prosperity, innovation and growth for two natural democratic partners. Congratulations to the people of India and the US.”

Goyal, in his post, congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, as well as citizens of both nations, on what he termed a landmark agreement. He said it reflects “the power of two like-minded, fair-trading democracies working together for shared prosperity.”

He also expressed gratitude to both leaders “for their visionary and decisive leadership, and strong commitment to strengthening India–U.S. ties,” adding that the partnership would “co-create technologies, co-develop solutions, and work together for peace, growth, and a brighter future for India and US.”

According to Goyal, the agreement opens new doors for farmers, MSMEs, entrepreneurs and skilled workers, enabling them to “Make in India for the world, Design in India for the world, and Innovate in India for the world,” while also helping India access technology from the United States. He described the pact as “not just a trade deal - it is a historic turning point that will reshape India–U.S. relations and accelerate our journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.”

Prime Minister Modi earlier welcomed the deal announced by President Trump, which lowers reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 18 per cent following a phone conversation between the two leaders.

In a post on X, Modi said his conversation with Trump was warm and productive, and noted, “Wonderful to speak with my dear friend President Trump today. Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18%. Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India for this wonderful announcement.”

He added, “When two large economies and the world’s largest democracies work together, it benefits our people and unlocks immense opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation,” and said Trump’s leadership is “vital for global peace, stability, and prosperity,” while expressing India’s support for his efforts for peace.

Trump announced the agreement on Truth Social, stating, “Out of friendship and respect for Prime Minister Modi and, as per his request, effective immediately, we agreed to a Trade Deal between the United States and India, whereby the United States will charge a reduced Reciprocal Tariff, lowering it from 25 percent to 18 percent.”

The announcement is being seen as a significant step toward deeper economic engagement between the two countries, with senior officials like Agrawal and Goyal publicly underlining its potential impact.