Tue Jul 01 02:20:04 UTC 2025: **Headline: Congress Claims NITI Aayog Withdrew Pro-US Trade Paper Amid Ongoing Negotiations**

**New Delhi, July 1, 2025** – Controversy surrounds a now-withdrawn working paper from government think-tank NITI Aayog on Indo-U.S. agriculture trade relations, with Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleging the paper favored American interests over those of Indian farmers.

Ramesh claims the paper, titled “Promoting India-US Agricultural Trade Under the New US Trade Regime,” advocated for duty-free imports of genetically modified (GM) maize and soybean from the United States. He argues that this would prioritize farmers in the Midwestern U.S. over Indian farmers in states like Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan.

According to Ramesh’s posts on X, the paper, officially released on May 30, 2025, was quickly removed from the NITI Aayog website and officially withdrawn. He questioned the authorization of the paper and speculated whether it foreshadows a future Indo-U.S. trade agreement.

The withdrawn document reportedly suggested India selectively reduce tariffs on non-sensitive agricultural commodities from the U.S. and offer concessions in areas where domestic supply gaps exist, such as edible oils and nuts. The paper highlighted the U.S.’s surplus of GM soybean and suggested India could offer concessions on soybean oil imports to reduce the trade imbalance. In return, the paper suggested India seek increased access to the U.S. market for exports like shrimp, fish, spices, rice, tea, coffee, and rubber, currently valued at $5.75 billion annually.

The controversy comes as Indian and U.S. officials are engaged in intense negotiations in Washington for an interim trade agreement, aiming to finalize a deal before the July 9 deadline for the potential reinstatement of a 26% reciprocal tariff imposed by the U.S. but suspended since April. Failure to reach an agreement could trigger the tariffs once again.

While India is seeking duty concessions for labor-intensive sectors, the U.S. is pushing for concessions in agriculture and dairy, politically sensitive areas for India due to the prevalence of small-scale farming. Both countries are aiming to finalize an interim trade pact before moving toward a broader agreement with a goal of more than doubling bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.

A NITI Aayog spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.

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