India Eyes Agri Trade-Offs In US BTA Talks — Profit Exclusive

India is considering offering limited market access to the United States for select agricultural products deemed non-sensitive, as part of its ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement, people in the know told NDTV Profit.

These include items such as almonds, pistachios, figs, and apples—categories where import volumes are already significant and unlikely to disrupt domestic producers further.

The potential concessions are being discussed in the context of a larger framework that seeks to boost bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 from the current roughly $200 billion.

The US is seeking broader market access for soybean and corn exports, commodities with wider trade implications. However, Indian negotiators are treading cautiously, given the matter is politically and economically sensitive, in a largely agrarian economy.

In return, India is likely to press for improved access to the US market for seafood products like shrimp and fish, as well as spices, coffee, and rubber—segments where Indian exporters are globally competitive but face tariff competition in the American market.

Additionally, easing non-tariff barriers around sanitary and phytosanitary measures in sensitive sectors such as poultry and dairy is also on the table, though such steps would require careful calibration to avoid domestic backlash.

The discussions come as a US delegation is in New Delhi for the June 5–6 round of BTA talks. Both sides are aiming to finalise the first phase of a broader economic partnership by the end of 2025.