Amid the controversy surrounding the White House’s claim that India had agreed to surveillance by the United States Russian oil import, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on Saturday that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will provide clarity on India’s acquisition of Russian oil.
After announcing the interim framework for a US-India trade agreement, the White House said: “India has committed to halting direct or indirect imports of oil from the Russian Federation, has said it will buy United States energy products from the United States, and recently committed to a framework with the United States to expand defense cooperation over the next 10 years.”
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However, the Indian administration has not issued any formal verification regarding any commitment to stop buying oil from Russia.
During a press conference in Delhi on Saturday, Piyush Goyal said, “MEA will provide information on this.”
The Congress party on Saturday slammed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government, saying the Union had accepted US oversight of India’s Russian oil imports as part of the preliminary framework for a trade pact.
In a social media post on X, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “US will now monitor whether India imports oil from Russia or not. If US decides that India has imported Russian oil directly or indirectly, the special 25% tariff penalty is back. This is truly extraordinary. And the Modi government has accepted it!!”
In a joint communique, Washington and New Delhi said they had created a framework for an interim agreement on bilateral, mutually beneficial trade (Interim Agreement) and agreed on terms.
According to a joint briefing by the Department of Commerce and The White HouseThe United States will impose a corresponding tariff of 18 percent on products made in India, including textiles, clothing, leather goods, footwear, polymers, organic chemicals, interior decorations, handmade items and specific industrial equipment.
Until the interim agreement is actually finalized, the US will eliminate reciprocal tariffs on an extensive list of commodities listed in the Potential Tariff Adjustments for Aligned Partners appendix to Executive Order 14346 dated September 5, 2025, including generic drugs, precious stones, and aerospace components.
At the same time, Piyush Goyal promised full protection for Indian farmers within the parameters of the trade deal.
He further noted that this arrangement would bring significant benefits to growers and India’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Read also | India to increase energy imports under interim trade deal with US
Goyal also said, “Agricultural products from Indian farmers will be exported to the United States at zero duty. At the same time, no tariff concessions have been granted for agricultural products from American farmers entering the Indian market.”
Opening the market for Distiller’s Dried Grains, the minister said: “We have opened our markets to the US for some products such as Distiller’s Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS), wines and spirits, for which we have also maintained the minimum import price.”
“The agreement also clearly states that genetically modified (GM) food will not be allowed into India,” Goyal added.