The US ambassador to India has written to top American technology firms assuring them of support for a level playing field in India, a letter seen by Reuters showed.
Kenneth Juster last month wrote to the heads of leading US technology companies in India, urging them to "participate personally" in discussions with government officials in Delhi on data localization and e-commerce, issues that have soured trade ties between the two nations.

Industry executives with direct knowledge said it wasn't common to receive such letters from the US administration, but described the communication as the latest sign of Washington's determination to deter India from measures that hurt its firms.

"Our Embassy will continue working with you to ensure that US firms compete on a level playing field. My team at the Embassy stands by ready to help," Mr Juster said in his letter, a copy of which was seen by Reuters.

"We look forward to your continued success in India."

The US Embassy in New Delhi did not comment on the letter, but said US companies were the biggest source of foreign direct investment in India. "We hope that the Indian Government will pursue policies that create a welcoming and predictable environment for US investors," a spokesperson said in a statement.