India vowed on Thursday to protect its labour-intensive agriculture sector, a central sticking point in bogged-down trade talks with the U.S., as Washington threatened 25% tariffs, triggering outrage from the opposition and a slump in the rupee.

India’s prime minister has made a big effort to build closer ties using his rapport with the U.S. president, but critics say he is getting little in return.

India is weighing options to placate the White House, including boosting US imports, and has ruled out immediate retaliation to President Donald Trump’s surprise 25% tariff threat, according to people familiar with the matter.