Dibrugarh, 17th of February, 2026 : Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal said India’s decisive emergence as a global trade power is the direct result of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nation-first leadership, contrasting it sharply with what he described as the Congress party’s history of ‘policy paralysis, indecision and obstruction.’
Addressing a press conference in Dibrugarh, Sonowal said that since 2014 India has transitioned from what he termed a “defensive and hesitant trade posture” to a confident, assertive and strategically negotiated global engagement. Sonowal said nine major free trade agreements finalised in the last six years have secured preferential access to 38 developed nations across Europe, the Gulf, Oceania and North America, accounting for nearly 30% of India’s export value — approximately $242 billion, or about ₹22 lakh crore. Through these Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), today, nearly 70 per cent of global trade markets have opened to India, where preferential access has been ensured.
“For decades, Congress reduced trade policy to defensive posturing and policy paralysis. They lacked the confidence to believe that Indian industry, Indian farmers and Indian entrepreneurs could compete globally,” Sarbananda Sonowal said. “Under Prime Minister Modi ji’s leadership, India negotiates from a position of strength — expanding markets, securing better tariff terms than competing economies and safeguarding our core interests. That is the difference between narrow political thinking of Congress and nation-first leadership by PM Modi ji,” Sonowal added.
Sonowal said the 2026 India–US interim trade agreement symbolises this transformation. The framework aims to raise bilateral trade to $500 billion annually and reduces reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods to 18%, lower than several competing economies. Zero-duty access has been secured for key sectors including generic pharmaceuticals, gems and diamonds, aircraft parts and select agricultural products, while preferential treatment has been extended to 232 tariff lines. Sonowal emphasised that 90–95% of sensitive agricultural products — including wheat, rice, maize, dairy, poultry and key spices — remain fully protected.
“This government has shown that you can open global markets without compromising farmers’ welfare. Congress created fear; Modi ji has created opportunity,” Sonowal said.
Referring to the India–EU Free Trade Agreement signed last month, Sonowal said the deal provides preferential access to 99.5% of India’s exports across 27 European nations, with 90.7% of exports by value becoming duty-free upon entry into force. Labour-intensive sectors including textiles, leather, footwear and gems and jewellery are set to benefit significantly, while sensitive domestic sectors remain excluded. The agreement also opens 144 services sub-sectors, strengthening India’s global leadership in IT and professional services.
Similarly, the India–UK Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement ensures duty-free access for nearly 99% of India’s exports and opens 137 services sub-sectors, benefiting Indian professionals across IT, financial, telecom and education services. Agreements with Oman and New Zealand secure near-total or total duty-free access from day one, expand services market entry and create new mobility and investment pathways.
Sonowal said these agreements collectively represent a structural shift in India’s global positioning. “Our dynamic PM Narendra Modi ji has inspired confidence not only among world leaders but also among our entrepreneurs, MSMEs and youth. He has demonstrated that India will no longer be a passive participant in global trade but a rule-shaper and opportunity creator,” Sonowal said.
Highlighting Assam’s prospects, Sonowal said tea exports have regained zero-duty access in the US market, driving the strongest export growth in 25 years, with shipments rising by 40 million kg in the 2025–26 cycle. Total exports from the state are projected to exceed 150 million kg valued at approximately ₹2,500 crore. Sectors such as spices, specialty rice, handloom, handicrafts, bamboo products, petrochemicals and horticulture are also poised to gain from expanded global access, with Assam’s overall exports projected to cross ₹10,000 crore by 2026–27.
“The Congress party has consistently opposed reforms, infrastructure and transformative trade agreements because its politics thrives on pessimism. From their Xuta Kombol politics, our government has emboldened Assam’s tea industry and its trade prospect with this agreement with US,” Sonowal said. “They never believed India could compete globally. Prime Minister Modi has proven them wrong by opening markets worth trillions of dollars, generating lakhs of jobs for youth and women, empowering MSMEs and ensuring that sensitive sectors remain protected.”
“These trade agreements reflect the confidence of a New India,” the Union Minister added. “Under Prime Minister Modi’s visionary and dynamic leadership, India is creating value, wealth and opportunity for its people. This is the pathway to Viksit Bharat — strong at home, respected abroad and prosperous for every citizen.”
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