3 Things Red lines in trade talks, India’s widest tunnel, and Bihar voters get relief
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Jul 7, 2025 In this conversation, Harish Damodaran, the National Rural Affairs and Agriculture Editor at The Indian Express, tackles the thorny negotiations over the India–US trade deal, spotlighting agricultural tensions. He reveals the complexities surrounding tariffs and essential crops like maize. The discussion also takes a turn to Rajasthan's ambitious tunnel project, outlining its geological challenges and environmental concerns. Finally, the troubling electoral roll revisions in Bihar raise critical issues about voter disenfranchisement just before the elections.
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US Seeks New Maize Market In India
- The US wants India as a new large market for maize and soya bean amid its trade war with China.
- Both crops are indispensable for India's growing milk and meat consumption as feed ingredients.
Ethanol Import Limits in India
- India only imports ethanol for non-fuel industrial uses under strict licensing.
- The US wants India to import ethanol for fuel too, but India currently restricts fuel ethanol imports.
GM Soya Bean Oil Import Complexities
- India imports genetically modified soya bean oil but not the raw soya bean or meal due to genetic modification concerns.
- The US pressures for opening soya bean imports, creating a trade conflict involving economic, political, and cultural factors.