The United States Trade Representative has retained India on its Special 301 “priority watch list,” citing ongoing concerns over the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPR).
According to the latest annual report, India’s progress in strengthening its IP framework has been described as “inconsistent,” with several long-standing issues still unresolved. The US said it will continue engaging with New Delhi on these matters, including through negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement.
India is among six countries on the priority watch list, alongside China, Russia, Indonesia, Chile, and Venezuela. The designation reflects concerns over areas such as patent rules, copyright enforcement, counterfeiting, and delays in legal processes.
The report also flagged issues related to India’s patent laws—particularly in the pharmaceutical sector—as well as concerns about protection of trade secrets and high customs duties on IP-intensive products like technology and medical equipment.
While the listing does not carry direct legal penalties, experts say it serves as a tool for trade pressure and could influence future negotiations between the two countries.
In a separate development, Vietnam was named a “Priority Foreign Country,” the most serious classification under the report, potentially triggering further trade investigations.
