The United States Trade Representative has included India on its priority watch list regarding intellectual property rights protections.
India has been retained on the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) priority watch list for intellectual property rights (IPR) protection. This update was published in a special report on April 29, 2026, which assesses the adequacy and effectiveness of IPR enforcement by various trading partners.
This list includes a total of six countries: Chile, China, India, Indonesia, Russia, and Venezuela. The report highlights ongoing concerns regarding the effectiveness of measures taken by these nations to protect and enforce intellectual property rights adequately.
Stakeholders have raised issues surrounding piracy and counterfeiting, which remain problematic in countries identified on this watch list. The inclusion of India in this category suggests that the country may face scrutiny concerning its IPR policies and enforcement mechanisms.
The USTR’s priority watch list serves as a tool to encourage nations to improve their IPR protections and address the concerns highlighted by the USTR. This measure reflects the United States government’s continued focus on enforcing intellectual property standards worldwide and ensuring fair trade practices.
