Published on 03/02/2026 01:41 PM
A day after India-US Trade deal announcement, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership in securing trade agreements with 39 developed countries, saying NDA MPs congratulated the Prime Minister for the recent deals, which he said would “greatly benefit the common people”.
“These trade deals with 39 developed countries show that under the Prime Minister’s leadership, developed nations want to work with India as partners. This will greatly benefit the lives of common people,” Rijiju said.
Addressing mediapersons after a meeting of the NDA Parliamentary Party, Rijiju said the BJP also formally welcomed its new national president, Nitin Nabin, during the session. He highlighted what he described as “historic” trade agreements signed under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, including nine free trade agreements. The NDA Parliamentary Party meeting was held at the Parliament Library Building in New Delhi to deliberate on the Union Budget 2026 and the government’s broader vision for Viksit Bharat 2047.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP National President Nitin Nabin, Union Health Minister JP Nadda, along with other NDA ministers and Members of Parliament, were present at the meeting.
“The India–EU Free Trade Agreement was signed less than a week ago. Yesterday, a trade agreement with the United States was also concluded, which has generated excitement among the public. All NDA MPs congratulated the Prime Minister for these achievements,” Rijiju said, according to ANI.
India and the United States reached a trade deal on Monday following a phone conversation between Prime Minister Modi and US President Donald Trump, marking the second trade agreement concluded by India in the last ten days. Under the agreement, US tariffs on Indian goods were reduced to 18 per cent from 25 per cent, while India agreed to ease certain trade barriers on American products.
Amid sloganeering by Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha over the India–US trade agreement, BJP president and Union Minister JP Nadda said the government would issue a suo motu statement in the House and was ready for a detailed discussion.
“Late last night, the US President tweeted on tariffs and referred to Prime Minister Modi as a true friend. The Prime Minister responded by thanking him. The government will issue a suo motu statement on the trade deal and is also ready to hold a discussion,” Nadda said, ANI reported.
He criticised the Congress and the INDI alliance for their protests, calling their conduct “irresponsible behaviour” that was “threatening to democracy.” “When the government is willing to give a detailed statement, this attitude is wrong. It is frustration speaking,” he said.
Marking a historic turning point in bilateral ties, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said that the India–US trade pact will unlock new opportunities for farmers, MSMEs, entrepreneurs and skilled workers.
In a post on X, Goyal said the agreement will help India access advanced US technology, boost Make in India for the world, and accelerate the country’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047. He congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump for their “visionary and decisive leadership,” calling India and the US natural allies whose partnership will co-create technologies, develop solutions and drive shared prosperity.
Meanwhile, the Congress has demanded full details of the India–US trade agreement, raising concerns over claims that the agriculture sector may be opened up, tariffs reduced to zero, and India pausing purchases of Russian oil, as reportedly stated by President Trump.
In a post on X, the party questioned the manner of the announcement and warned that reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers to zero could impact Indian industry, traders and farmers. It also sought clarity on how farmers’ interests would be protected if the agriculture sector were opened to the US.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi welcomed the development, saying reduced tariffs on Made in India products would unlock new opportunities. He added that collaboration between the world’s largest democracies would take the India–US partnership to unprecedented heights.