Lok Sabha Question No. 6013 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-01
Subject: United States–India Joint Statement
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Rahul Gandhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6013

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 01.04.2026

## UNITED STATES- INDIA JOINT STATEMENT

## 6013.   SHRI RAHUL GANDHI:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) the manner in which the Government reconciles its commitment under the United States -India Joint Statement to 'reduce barriers to digital trade' with India's data localisation rules, cross-border data regulations and broader digital framework;
- (b) whether any policy changes are proposed to protect regulatory autonomy;
- (c) if so, whether these commitments could restrict India's ability to mandate local storage of critical  data,  limit  foreign  access  to  sensitive  digital  infrastructure  or  regulate  Artificial Intelligence (AI) now or in the future;
- (d) if so, details of critical infrastructure -such as financial systems, digital identity, health and welfare databases, telecom networks and AI datasets -are affected and to what extent and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the details of the safeguards ensuring these commitments do not weaken India's ability to use domestic data for indigenous AI development, domestic value creation and strategic digital autonomy  particularly  regarding  data  localisation,  market  access  conditions,  cross-border restrictions and technology transfer?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) to (e):  India has a vibrant IT ecosystem with revenues exceeding 280 billion US Dollars and exports of 225 billion US Dollars in FY 2024-25. It employs more than 60 lakh people. Therefore, digital trade is an important component of India's economy.

## India's Free Trade Agreements:

Government of India is firmly committed to fostering and expanding digital trade partnerships with potential nations across the world. India has concluded three Free Trade Agreements with United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the European Union, each of which includes a Digital Trade Chapter as a key component.

In  these  agreements,  India  has  effectively  safeguarded  its  interests  while  securing  market access.

## India-US Trade negotiations:

The India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), currently under negotiations, seeks to foster a  free,  fair,  and  dynamic  digital  environment,  enabling deeper collaboration in the field of Digital Trade.

India  and  the  United  States  have  established  a  framework  for  an  Interim  Agreement  that reflects  both  nations'  shared  commitment  to  fostering  an  open,  and  equitable  digital  trade environment.

This interim framework charts a pathway toward achieving reciprocal and mutually beneficial digital trade guidelines as a vital component of the India-US BTA.

India  has  preserved  its  regulatory  autonomy  in  data  governance,  while  striking  a  careful balance between advancing emerging technologies and promoting cross-border cooperation.

In no way, such agreements restricts India's ability to take measures for managing India's own data within the established legal framework.

## India's robust legal framework:

Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 establishes a strong data privacy framework. It places  corresponding  obligations  on  Data  Fiduciaries  to  ensure  lawful  processing  and protection  of  personal  data.  The  Act  empowers  citizens  by  giving  them  rights  enforceable against the Data Fiduciaries.

Government of  India  notified  the  Digital  Personal  Data  Protection  (DPDP)  Rules  2025  to provide  a  comprehensive  framework  for  the  processing  of  personal  data,  including  crossborder transfers.

The framework enables the Central Government to prescribe additional conditions, including restrictions on the transfer of certain categories of personal data under limited circumstance, where necessary.

Similarly, sector regulators are prescribe mandate by considering the criticality of the sector. E.g.  Reserve  Bank  of  India  (RBI)  mandates  that  all  Payment  System  Data  must  be  stored exclusively on systems located within India.

Government remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing India's digital economy, while ensuring that domestic regulatory autonomy is preserved and strengthened.

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