By Shailesh Yadav

New Delhi [India], June 30 (ANI): India has adopted a firmer stance on agricultural matters as high-stakes trade negotiations with the United States reach a pivotal moment, government sources said on Monday.

The Indian delegation, led by Chief Negotiator Rajesh Agrawal, has extended its stay in Washington, as reported by ANI earlier. The two negotiations were scheduled on Thursday and Friday, but have been extended as both nations work urgently to finalise an interim trade agreement before a crucial July 9 deadline.

The extended negotiations come as both countries face the looming return of suspended 26% reciprocal tariffs. These punitive measures, imposed initially during the Trump administration on April 2, were temporarily suspended for 90 days but will automatically resume if no agreement is reached.

'The failure of these trade discussions would trigger the immediate reimplementation of the 26% tariff structure,' warned a senior official.

India's hardened position reflects the politically sensitive nature of its agricultural sector. The country's farming landscape is dominated by small-scale subsistence farmers with limited land holdings, making agricultural concessions particularly challenging from both economic and political perspectives.

Notably, India has never opened its dairy sector to foreign competition in any previous free trade agreement -- a precedent it appears reluctant to break even under US pressure.

The United States is pushing for reduced duties on agricultural products, including apples, tree nuts, and genetically modified crops.

Meanwhile, India seeks preferential access for its labour-intensive exports, such as textiles and garments, Gems and jewellery, Leather goods, and agricultural products like shrimp, oilseeds, grapes, and bananas.

Beyond the immediate interim agreement, both nations are working toward a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with the first phase targeted for completion by fall 2024. The ultimate goal is ambitious: more than doubling bilateral trade from the current $191 billion to $500 billion by 2030. (ANI)