The United States has placed India on its 2026 priority watch list for intellectual property rights, as stated in a report by the United States Trade Representative (USTR). This designation highlights ongoing concerns regarding India's protection and enforcement of intellectual property (IP) rights, including patents, copyrights, and trademarks. The report indicates that while India has made some progress, significant issues remain, such as delays in the patent system, strict rejection rules, and weak enforcement against piracy and counterfeiting. Additionally, high import duties on IP-related products and inefficiencies in legal processes have raised alarms. The US intends to engage with India on these matters, particularly through negotiations related to the US-India Bilateral Trade Agreement and the Intellectual Property Working Group. In contrast, Vietnam has been classified as a Priority Foreign Country for the first time in over a decade due to severe IP-related practices, prompting potential trade actions. Overall, the USTR's report emphasizes the importance of addressing gaps in IP systems among trading partners.