The United States has quietly revised the wording of its recently released India-US trade agreement factsheet, introducing significant changes just a day after its initial publication. The most notable alteration replaces the phrase stating that India “committed” to purchasing over $500 billion worth of American goods with softer language indicating that India merely “intends” to do so.
The earlier version of the document clearly mentioned that India had committed to buying more than $500 billion in US energy, information and communication technology, agricultural products, coal, and other goods. However, the revised version removes the word “agricultural” from the purchase list and replaces “committed” with “intends,” signaling a potential recalibration of expectations or diplomatic wording.
Further changes were made to tariff-related provisions. The original factsheet stated that India would eliminate or reduce tariffs on all US industrial goods and a broad range of food and agricultural products, specifically including items such as dried distillers’ grains (DDGs), red sorghum, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruits, certain pulses, soybean oil, wine, and spirits. In the updated version, “certain pulses” has been removed from the list.
Another major revision concerns digital trade. The initial document indicated that India “will remove its digital services taxes” and committed to negotiating robust bilateral digital trade rules. In the revised text, the explicit statement about removing digital services taxes has been dropped, although the commitment to negotiate digital trade rules remains.
The broader trade framework, announced last week, aims to enhance bilateral trade through reciprocal tariff reductions. Under the interim arrangement, the United States will reduce tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 50%, while India will lower or eliminate duties on US industrial and selected agricultural products.
Additionally, India has outlined plans to purchase $500 billion worth of US energy products, aircraft and parts, precious metals, technology goods, and coking coal over five years. Following the agreement, US President Donald Trump removed the 25% tariffs previously imposed on India for importing Russian oil, citing New Delhi’s commitment to halt such imports.
The final trade deal is expected to be signed by mid-March, marking a significant milestone in strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
