Mumbai, Feb. 7 -- Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Saturday welcomed the India-US interim trade agreement, saying the framework would strengthen bilateral trade ties and benefit key sectors, including agriculture, while dismissing concerns being raised about its impact on farmers.

Speaking to ANI, Athawale said the agreement reflected the long-standing relationship between India and the United States.

"This agreement will boost trade. In between, our relations with the US were not good, but for many years our relations with America have been good," he said.

The minister added that this deal will also benefit the farmers." Whatever people are thinking about the farmers here, it's not like that. This deal will be used to empower the far...