India-US Trade Deal Update: Pulses Removed, $500 Billion Purchase Claim Revised

India, Feb 11 : The White House on Tuesday issued an updated version of its factsheet on the proposed interim trade framework with India, moderating several earlier claims regarding New Delhi’s commitments on American product purchases, tariff reductions, and digital trade policies.

The revision comes just a day after the original release and follows ongoing discussions around a reciprocal trade agreement announced after a phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump. Officials view the changes as significant because they redefine the extent of India’s formal obligations under the proposed arrangement.

Shift Toward More Measured Language

The initial factsheet stated that India had “committed” to purchasing over USD 500 billion worth of US energy, technology, agricultural, coal, and other products. The updated version replaces that wording with India “intending” to buy more American goods, while also removing agriculture from the listed categories.

Similarly, references to “certain pulses” have been deleted from the tariff section. The earlier document suggested sweeping tariff reductions across industrial goods and multiple agricultural products; the revision narrows that scope by omitting pulses from the list.

Digital Trade Clause Scaled Back

Another notable change concerns digital taxation. The previous document asserted that India would remove its digital services taxes and negotiate comprehensive bilateral digital trade rules.

The updated factsheet drops the reference to eliminating digital taxes, retaining only India’s commitment to negotiate a robust framework addressing barriers to digital trade. The adjustment signals a more careful articulation of policy positions as negotiations continue.

Tariff Relief and Energy Trade Context

Under the proposed framework, the United States is expected to reduce tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent, down from the current 50 per cent.