India’s export strategy shifts toward integrated intellectual property protection as patent filings rise and the country seeks global recognition in innovation-driven sectors, highlighting the importance of comprehensive market preparedness to succeed abroad.
Indian exporters aiming for durable overseas growth need more than production capacity and price competitiveness. A joint report by the Trade Promotion Council of India and RNA Technology and IP Attorneys argues that companies expanding into markets across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South-East Asia and Latin America must treat intellectual property protection, free trade agreement use, customs paperwork, regulatory compliance and supply-chain controls as part of one strategy rather than separate tasks.
The report warns that firms entering foreign markets without proper preparation can run into trademark squatters, patent disputes, customs seizures, counterfeiting, trade secret theft and expensive rebranding. It says businesses should map their key intellectual assets before launch, check ownership and protection gaps, test trademark availability and decide early on filing priorities for patents, trademarks, designs and trade secrets. Delays, it adds, can close off market opportunities and lead to the permanent loss of rights.
The council used its India IP Advantage Summit 2026 in New Delhi to underline how India is trying to convert growing patent activity into commercial strength abroad. Mohit Singla, chairman of the council, said filings and registrations have risen steadily, but commercialisation, enforcement and global recognition remain weak points. He said a stronger pipeline of Indian-owned patents and trademarks in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, consumer brands and creative industries will be critical to India’s ambitions in the global knowledge economy.
Singla said patent applications filed with the Indian Patent Office rose from 58,503 in 2020-21 to 143,729 in 2025-26. Business Standard reported separately that patent filings increased 30.2% in 2025-26 from 110,375 a year earlier, with more than 69% filed domestically and India now ranked as the world’s sixth-largest patent filer. According to the report and remarks at the summit, Unnat Pandit, the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks, said steps have been taken to simplify the filing process.
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