If it's yellow, the US wants a free pass

India on 8 March introduced a 10% import duty on lentils, while extending till 31 May a zero-rate on yellow peas

- Dhirendra Kumar

An Indian dietary staple has taken centrestage in India-US trade negotiations amid a new 10% import duty on pulses imposed by New Delhi.

The US is seeking a separate harmonized system of nomenclature (HSN) code for the yellow lentils (yellow masoor) that it exports to India, according to two officials aware of the ongoing bilateral trade agreement negotiations between the two nations.

India on 8 March introduced a 10% import duty on lentils (primarily red masoor), while extending a zero-rate on yellow peas (matar) till 31 May. Yellow lentils resemble yellow peas but are a different variety of legumes.