- India-U.S. framework revised one day after its initial release.
- India’s $500 billion purchase plan moved from a "commitment" to an "intent."
- Specific agricultural products, immediate digital tax changes removed.
THE WHITE HOUSE updated its factsheet on the India-U.S. trade framework just one day after its initial release. The revision softened several key assertions related to India's commitments on purchases, tariffs and digital trade.
Originally, the document stated India "committed" to buying over $500 billion in U.S. products, but the revised version now states India only "intends" to do so.
The changes follow last week's announcement of an interim reciprocal trade agreement framework aimed at boosting bilateral commerce. That agreement resulted from a conversation between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump, according to ANI.
Trump slashed the 25 percent reciprocal tariff on India to 18 percent. He also removed a 25 percent tariff on Indian goods following New Delhi's move to stop importing Russian oil, according to The Economic Times.
The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday clarified that the recent amendments in the U.S. factsheet on the framework for the India-U.S. interim trade agreement reflect the "shared understandings" between both sides, according to India TV News.
“The joint statement is the framework and remains the basis of our mutual understanding in the matter. Both sides will now work towards implementing this framework and finalizing the interim agreement. The amendments in the U.S. fact sheet reflect the shared understandings contained in the joint statement,” said Randhir Jaiswal, MEA spokesperson.
Agri, digital revisions
Further changes were made to the tariff section, which previously noted that India would reduce or eliminate tariffs on a wide range of U.S. food and agricultural products, including certain legumes. The revised version removes the reference to "certain pulses" from the list of items subject to tariff reductions.
On the digital trade front, the initial claim that "India will remove its digital services taxes" has also been dropped, with the document now only stating that India is committed to negotiating a robust set of bilateral digital trade rules.
Separately, Reuters reported that India’s plan to buy $500 billion in U.S. goods over five years could distort procurement and reshape New Delhi’s trade balance. Trade experts and economists questioned whether $100 billion in annual imports is feasible without policies steering companies toward U.S. suppliers.
