New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that recent amendments to the White House factsheet concerning the India-US trade agreement reflect the shared understanding between both nations.
During the weekly press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal explained that the factsheet emphasizes the joint statement, which serves as the foundation of the framework established between New Delhi and Washington for a bilateral trade agreement. “We had agreed to a joint statement on the framework for an interim agreement on reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade. The joint statement is the framework and remains the basis of our shared understanding in this matter. The amendments in the US factsheet reflect the shared understandings contained in the joint statement,” the spokesperson stated.
White House Updates Factsheet
Following the release of the joint statement on the India-US trade agreement, the White House published a factsheet on February 9 that provided additional context and details about the “historic” deal between the two countries.
However, the White House revised the factsheet on February 10. In the updated version of the document, a notable modification was the removal of “certain pulses” from the agricultural goods list on which India had committed to reducing or eliminating tariffs for the US.
According to the document available on the official website, the White House stated that India has agreed to either eliminate or reduce its tariffs on ‘all US industrial goods and a wide range of US food and agricultural products, including dried distillers’ grains (DDGs), red sorghum, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruit, certain pulses, soybean oil, wine and spirits, and additional products.”
Another modification involved India’s removal of digital services provisions. The revised document eliminated this element as India has already withdrawn its 6% equalisation levy on digital advertising services, which took effect on April 1, 2025.
Additionally, India’s pledge to invest $500 billion in US energy goods, aircraft, precious metals, and other products was also modified. The factsheet now indicates India “intends to buy” more American goods.
India-US Trade Agreement
Following months of negotiations amid trade tensions resulting from Trump’s tariffs on India, Washington and New Delhi announced they had reached a trade agreement.
The agreement was previewed by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and subsequently confirmed by US President Donald Trump on Truth Social.
The comprehensive joint statement on the trade agreement was released on February 7, outlining the framework for what will be an interim agreement between the two nations before they ultimately finalize a more comprehensive bilateral trade agreement.
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