External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday welcomed the India–US interim trade framework, saying it would help realise a “mutually beneficial” economic partnership between the two countries after the United States agreed to cut tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said the framework would expand market access for Indian products and create fresh opportunities for exporters. He described the deal as a step that opens “new vistas” for trade while boosting the government’s Make in India initiative.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hailed the development as “great news” for both nations, thanking U.S. President Donald Trump for his personal commitment to stronger bilateral ties. Modi said the agreement reflected the “growing depth, trust and dynamism” in India–US relations and would particularly benefit farmers, MSMEs, start-ups, entrepreneurs and fishermen.

According to the Prime Minister, the pact would generate large-scale employment for women and youth while strengthening trusted supply chains, investment links and technology cooperation. He added that the framework aligned with India’s goal of building a Viksit Bharat through future-oriented global partnerships.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said the agreement would keep both countries focused on deeper economic cooperation and sustainable growth. He claimed it would open up a $30 trillion market for Indian exporters, especially MSMEs, farmers and fishermen, and could create lakhs of new jobs.

Officials described the interim framework as a stepping stone toward a fuller bilateral trade agreement in the coming months.