India-U.S. Trade Deal Revised: Pulses Removed, $500 Billion Purchase Commitment Softened
Washington has revised the details of a recently announced trade agreement with India, removing references to pulses and altering the language surrounding a proposed $500 billion purchase commitment from the U.S., according to updated factsheets released by the White House.
The changes, reported on February 11, 2026, come after both countries announced reaching a trade deal last week. The initial White House factsheet, released on Tuesday, described a “path forward” for increased trade between the two nations. However, the updated version presents a slightly different picture.
Notably, the initial factsheet stated that India would eliminate or reduce tariffs on a range of U.S. Products, “including dried distillers’ grains (DDGs), red sorghum, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruit, certain pulses, soybean oil, wine and spirits, and additional products.” The revised document no longer mentions pulses.
Further adjustments were made to the language concerning India’s potential purchases of American goods. The original text indicated that India was “committed” to purchasing over $500 billion of U.S. Energy, information and communication technology, agricultural, coal, and other products. The updated version softens this commitment, stating that India “intends” to buy more American products and purchase over $500 billion of those same goods – but removes agricultural goods from the list.
The shift in wording from “committed” to “intends” and the removal of agricultural products from the $500 billion figure have raised questions about the strength of the agreement. Some observers have suggested the changes reflect a recalibration of expectations on both sides.
The White House also removed text relating to India’s removal of its digital services taxes in the updated factsheet, while the rest of the related point remained unchanged. This deletion adds another layer to the revisions made to the initial announcement.
The revisions come as the trade deal has been lauded by some as a “historic” step forward in U.S.-India relations. Former U.S. President Donald Trump previously called the deal “historic,” while Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also expressed optimism about the potential benefits of increased trade.
However, some trade experts have expressed concerns that India may be receiving more benefits from the deal than it is offering in return. One expert noted that India is giving a lot more to the U.S. Than it is getting in trade, according to a report from TheWire.in.
Despite these concerns, a recent report from the State Bank of India suggests that the trade deal could push New Delhi’s trade surplus with Washington to over $90 billion. This potential increase in surplus highlights the economic opportunities that the agreement could unlock for both countries.
The changes to the factsheet underscore the complex negotiations involved in international trade agreements and the potential for adjustments even after an initial announcement. The coming months will be crucial in determining the full impact of the revised U.S.-India trade deal.
