India, Feb. 8 -- Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday said the interim trade agreement with the United States has been carefully structured to protect Indian farmers and the dairy sector, while securing duty-free or sharply reduced tariff access for several Indian export sectors in the American market.

Addressing a press conference after India and the US announced a framework for the interim pact, Goyal said no sensitive agricultural or dairy items had been included in the agreement. "We have not included any item where any Indian farmer will be hurt. All sensitive items have been kept out of the deal," he said.

The interim framework, agreed on Saturday, will guide negotiations towards a full Bilateral Trade Agreement...