NEW DELHI, February 11, 2026 — In a move that signals a strategic recalibration of the burgeoning economic partnership between Washington and New Delhi, the White House has quietly issued significant revisions to its official fact sheet regarding the US-India Interim Trade Agreement.
Just 48 hours after the historic February 9 announcement, the updated document reveals a softening of language on major purchase commitments and the strategic removal of sensitive agricultural items, specifically pulses, from the tariff reduction list.
Key Changes: What Was Scrubbed and Why?
The revisions, first spotted by PingTV analysts, align the White House’s public-facing narrative more closely with the conservative Joint Statement issued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump on February 6.
1. Pulses Dropped from Tariff Reductions
The most significant change for the Indian domestic market is the total removal of “certain pulses” from the list of US agricultural products slated for tariff cuts.
-
Original: Included “certain pulses” (lentils, chickpeas) alongside wine, tree nuts, and fruit.
-
Revised: All mentions of pulses have been deleted.
-
Impact: This move is seen as a direct response to pressure from Indian farmer unions, protecting domestic producers from a surge of cheap US imports.
2. $500 Billion: From ‘Committed’ to ‘Intends’
The White House has walked back the binding nature of India’s massive purchase target.
-
The Shift: India is no longer described as “committed” to the $500 billion figure; instead, it now “intends to purchase” these goods over the next five years.
-
Narrowed Scope: References to “agricultural products” were removed from this $500 billion category, focusing the spending primarily on energy, aircraft, technology, and coking coal.
3. Digital Services Tax (DST) Deadlock
The initial fact sheet claimed India would “remove its digital services taxes” (the 2% equalization levy). The revised version now admits the two nations are merely “committed to negotiate,” suggesting that a final resolution on taxing US tech giants remains elusive.
Comparison of Trade Deal Terms (Interim Agreement)
| Feature | Original Fact Sheet (Feb 9) | Revised Fact Sheet (Feb 11) |
| Agricultural List | Included “Certain Pulses” | Pulses Removed |
| $500B Target | Hard “Commitment” | Aspirational “Intention” |
| Digital Tax | Immediate removal claimed | Commitment to “negotiate” |
| Tariff Logic | “Historic Milestone” | “Balanced Trade Framework” |
Background: A Delicate Balancing Act
The framework for this deal was forged during high-stakes discussions between President Trump and PM Modi to address long-standing trade imbalances. While the US is pushing for “reciprocal tariffs”—including an 18% levy on certain Indian textiles and leather—India is prioritizing its food security and digital sovereignty.
Economic Security & Technology:
Despite the tweaks, the core of the deal remains intact, focusing on:
-
Semiconductor Trade: Streamlining GPU exports for Indian data centers.
-
Energy Exports: Massive shipments of US LNG and coking coal.
-
Pharmaceuticals: Removal of US tariffs on Indian generic life-saving drugs.
Market Reaction
While Bloomberg reports suggest the edits have added “narrative confusion” in Washington, Indian markets and agricultural hubs have reacted positively to the protection of the pulses sector.
“The revision shows that New Delhi is successfully protecting its red lines in agriculture while still maintaining the momentum of the broader strategic partnership,” noted a senior trade analyst in New Delhi.
READ MORE NEWS:
Telangana Municipal Elections 2026: Peoples Pulse to Release Exclusive Exit Polls Tomorrow
Bipartisan US Lawmakers Introduce Resolution to Solidify ‘Strategic Value’ of Partnership with India
