Nirmala Sitharaman On India US Trade Deal: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the budget of the year 2026 is the first concrete step towards the goal of ‘Developed India 2047’. On the questions being raised regarding India-US trade deal and opening up of agriculture sector, he clarified that Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has already clarified the position on the claims made by America. He said that the interests of the agricultural sector have been fully kept in mind and Piyush Goyal has clearly stated this in the Parliament as well.
Talking to ABP News, the Finance Minister said that the complete picture related to this trade deal will become clear only after the official agreement comes out. He also said that America has reduced the tariff imposed on India from 50 percent to 18 percent, which is much lower than Bangladesh, Cambodia and other countries. Describing this as a positive sign for India, he said that still the final conclusion can be drawn only when the agreement is formally signed.
No agreement on farmers and dairy sector
Nirmala Sitharaman stressed that no compromise has been made with the interests of farmers and the dairy sector. Citing the statement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said that the government’s focus is not only on increasing production but also on quality. If the quality of ‘Made in India’ products is excellent then people will adopt them with pride.
The Finance Minister further said that it is the effort of Prime Minister Modi that everything made in India should be of global level quality. This thinking will strengthen ‘Make in India’ and establish India as a reliable global manufacturing hub.
What is the effect of stop buying oil from Russia?
When Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was asked that if India does not buy crude oil from Russia, will the country have to buy expensive oil, she replied that whatever decision Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes in the national interest, it will be better for the country. Expressing confidence on this issue, he said that the government takes every step keeping the national interest in mind.
On the question of giving rating to the budget, the Finance Minister said that this is not a budget which can be judged in numbers. He said that this budget has been prepared keeping in mind the voice and needs of the public, hence it is not appropriate to give rating on it.
Also read: Fear of AI? Shares of TSS and Infosys fell amid heavy global selloff in tech stocks.

