In its 2026 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers, the US Trade Representative (USTR) identified several trade barriers posed by India. Key issues include India's preference for domestic satellites in direct-to-home (DTH) television services, restrictions on American electronic payment services participating in the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and stringent data localization requirements. The report also mentions high tariffs on agricultural products, surcharges, and the goods and services tax on imports as significant obstacles. On February 6, 2026, the US and India released a joint statement outlining a framework for an interim trade agreement aimed at achieving reciprocal benefits. Furthermore, the USTR noted that American businesses have faced an increasing number of politically motivated takedown requests for content and user accounts since 2021. The report highlights ongoing US efforts to gain better access to the Indian dairy market, including advocacy for the import of dried distillers' grains (DDGS), which have not yet been approved by India as of December 31, 2025.