India has enjoyed bipartisan support in the U.S. as a critical economic counterbalance to China, but the United States still has a tenuous grasp on its interests. On February 18, 2025, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) published three memos outlining three expert analysis examining India’s position on digital trade, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and industrial policy.
CFR Memos on India’s Trade Policies:
- Kholofelo Kugler (Research Fellow, Trade Law 4.0 Project, University of Lucerne, Switzerland) – India’s Digital Trade Dilemma
India’s restrictive policies on digital trade, including data localization and source code regulations, deviate from global norms and hinder its technology sector. However, under Biden, the U.S. adopted protectionist policies on cross-border data flows, temporarily aligning with India’s stance. The Trump administration’s approach to digital trade remains unclear.
