Archive · 21 Jan 2026
Senator Daines Advocates for US Pulses in India
A important US Senator named Steve Daines went to India for three days.
He met with important Indian leaders like the External Affairs Minister and the Commerce Minister.
He talked about how the US and India can work together better, especially in defence and trade.
He also wanted to help farmers from his home state, Montana, by talking about pulse crops.
Both the US and India are trying to make a big trade deal, and Senator Daines' visit was part of that.
He also met with business leaders to talk about new technologies and more trade between the two countries.
The Indian Commerce Minister said the meetings were very helpful.
Senator Daines also asked for faster talks on the trade deal and for better access for American pulse crops in India.
India is the biggest buyer of pulses in the world, but it has high taxes on imports, which makes it hard for American farmers to sell there.
US Senator Steve Daines visited India from January 17-19 to advocate for Montana's pulse crop farmers and accelerate US-India trade talks.
Daines met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and US/Indian business leaders.
He urged favorable pulse crop provisions in future US-India trade agreements, as Montana is the top US pulse producer and India is the top global consumer.
Daines called for the acceleration of ongoing bilateral trade deal negotiations, which have been paused due to the holiday season.
India currently imposes a 30% import duty on pulses, making market access a sensitive issue in trade agreements.
- Who
- US Senator Steve Daines
- What
- Advocated for US pulse crop access in India and accelerated trade talks
- When
- January 17-19
- Where
- India, primarily in Delhi
- Why
- To reaffirm shared values, strategic partnership, and advocate for Montana's pulse crop farmers
- Senator
- Steve Daines
- Committee
- Senate Foreign Relations Committee
- Visit Duration
- January 17-19
- Key Meetings
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, US and Indian business leaders, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor
- Key Topics
- US-India defence cooperation, supply chains, trade agreements, pulse crop provisions
- Montana's Role
- Top pulse crop producer in the US
- India's Role
- World's top consumer of pulse crops
- Import Duty
- 30% on pulse imports
- Trade Deal Status
- Advanced stages, paused for holiday season
