The Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) has garnered significant traction in the international trade law and policy discourse. It is the first of its kind – a monothematic trade agreement that focuses exclusively on addressing issues that affect trade in the global digital economy. This study examines the influence of preferential trade agreements (PTAs) on different modules of the DEPA and their provisions. It analyses India’s position on the DEPA and its provisions to understand its policy stance to join the DEPA. The findings show that digital trade chapters of PTAs have a significant influence on the modules of DEPA but vary in several aspects. It further underscores based on interviews with policymakers, policy experts, think tanks, and industry associations that India is unlikely to join the DEPA given its evolving digital regulatory framework, fragmented perspectives, and cautious approach to digital trade negotiations in free trade agreements.