Weekly News Updates – Oct. 8 to Oct. 14

India Sets New Record with $10 Billion iPhone Exports, Cementing Its Role in Global Tech Manufacturing
印度創下100億美元iPhone出口新紀錄,鞏固其全球科技製造角色

Apple Inc. has reached a major milestone with iPhone exports from India hitting $10 billion, a 75% surge from the previous year. This growth was propelled by robust demand for the latest iPhone models and the expansion of Apple’s manufacturing footprint, now spanning five facilities across the country — including Tata Electronics in Hosur and Foxconn in Bengaluru. In September alone, Apple shipped iPhones worth $1.25 billion, marking a 155% year-on-year increase. India now produces all iPhone variants, including the Pro and Pro Max models, which are available for global launch, signaling the country’s ascent in Apple’s worldwide supply chain.

Backed by India’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, the surge in exports has also boosted the nation’s total smartphone shipments beyond ₹1 lakh crore, reinforcing its status as a major electronics exporter. For non-Indian companies, this development highlights India’s growing appeal as a reliable alternative to China for large-scale, high-tech manufacturing — offering both strategic diversification and access to a rapidly expanding domestic market.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/india-sets-new-record-for-iphone-exports-and-its-in-billions-and-with-iphone-17-it-may-add-another-billion/articleshow/124507581.cms

小編點評:印度以100億美元的iPhone出口創下新基準——年增率達75%—主要受惠於全球需求強勁以及蘋果在印度的製造版圖擴大至五座工廠,包括Hosur的塔塔電子及班加羅爾的鴻海。這波成長在「生產連結獎勵(PLI)」政策推動下,強化印度作為電子產品出口新樞紐的地位,也使其成為高科技製造領域中相較中國更具策略價值的替代選擇。

MediaTek Signals Readiness to Manufacture Chips in India, Strengthening Global Semiconductor Ecosystem
聯發科表達願意在印度生產晶片,強化全球半導體生態系統

Taiwanese semiconductor giant MediaTek has expressed readiness to begin chip manufacturing in India once local fabrication facilities become operational, marking a key development in India’s semiconductor ambitions. Anku Jain, Managing Director of MediaTek India, noted that producing chips domestically aligns with strong business logic—leveraging India’s growing consumption base, reducing supply chain complexities, and cutting operational costs. The company, which supplies chipsets to global smartphone leaders such as Xiaomi, Samsung, Oppo, and Vivo, currently operates on a fabless model, focusing on design and software while relying on foundries like TSMC, Intel Foundry Services, and GlobalFoundries for production.

MediaTek’s interest coincides with India’s $10-billion government incentive program to develop a full-scale semiconductor ecosystem. With India’s semiconductor market projected to grow from $38 billion in 2023 to over $100 billion by 2030, the move signals rising investor confidence in the country’s manufacturing capabilities. For non-Indian companies, MediaTek’s stance highlights India’s emergence as a strategic alternative for chip production amid global supply chain realignments—offering opportunities for partnership, investment, and diversification away from over-reliance on East Asian manufacturing hubs.
https://www.dtnext.in/technology/taiwanese-major-mediatek-willing-to-produce-chips-in-india-report-849271

小編點評:聯發科表示,一旦印度本地晶圓廠開始運作,即準備在印度展開晶片製造,此舉與印度100億美元建構完整半導體生態系的推動方向一致,可掌握快速成長的市場規模與成本優勢。此訊號反映投資信心提升,並使印度在全球供應鏈重組下,成為東亞製造基地之外的戰略替代選項。

India–Taiwan Ties Reach New Heights on Taiwan’s 114th National Day, Marking 30 Years of Bilateral Partnership
迎接中華民國114年國慶,印台關係達新高點,慶祝雙邊夥伴關係30週年

On the occasion of the 114th National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Stephen Hsu, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in Chennai, highlighted the deepening partnership between India and Taiwan across trade, investment, technology, education, and culture. He noted that bilateral trade reached $10.6 billion in 2024, doubling since 2016, and that over 300 Taiwanese firms now operate in India — a threefold rise in eight years. As the two countries celebrate 30 years of diplomatic engagement, trade volumes have already grown 15% year-on-year as of August 2025, with Taiwan continuing to play a critical global role by producing 70% of the world’s chips and 95% of advanced semiconductors.

Speaking at the event, Tamil Nadu IT Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan underscored the state’s position as India’s leading hub for Taiwanese investment, hosting key sectors such as electronics, semiconductors, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing. He revealed that Tamil Nadu has signed 21 MoUs with Taiwanese firms, and that the Foxconn iPhone facility contributes to 41% of India’s electronics exports. For non-Indian companies, these developments highlight India–Taiwan cooperation as a strategic gateway to the Indo-Pacific supply chain, offering opportunities to align with the “non-Red” and “democratic value” supply networks that are reshaping global manufacturing and technology ecosystems.

https://www.wionews.com/india-news/taiwanese-firms-in-india-have-tripled-over-the-last-8-years-tecc-1760100662244/amp

小編點評:在中華民國114年國慶之際,印台關係攀上新高度,慶祝雙邊夥伴關係30週年,雙邊貿易額已在2024年達到106億美元,印度境內台資企業超過300家,較八年前成長三倍,並於2025年呈現15%年增。泰米爾納德邦成為台灣投資重鎮—簽署21份合作備忘錄,其鴻海iPhone工廠貢獻印度電子出口的41%。印台合作強化雙方在印太地區民主與供應鏈多元化體系中的戰略角色。

UK’s Graphcore to Invest £1 Billion in India, Strengthening Global AI and Semiconductor Collaboration
英國 Graphcore 將在印度投資10億英鎊,強化全球AI與半導體合作

British AI chip designer Graphcore, now owned by SoftBank Group Corp., is set to invest £1 billion ($1.3 billion) in India to establish a research center in Bengaluru, creating up to 500 jobs over five years. The announcement will be made during UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to India, as part of a wider business mission to deepen bilateral technology ties. Founded in Bristol and once seen as a potential rival to Nvidia, Graphcore achieved a $2.8 billion valuation in 2020 before facing commercial hurdles and being acquired by SoftBank. The new investment aligns with Masayoshi Son’s AI infrastructure strategy, reflecting renewed confidence in India’s fast-growing innovation ecosystem.

The move comes amid India’s rapid ascent as a global AI and semiconductor hub, supported by an $8.6 billion government fund to attract foreign chipmakers. Recent milestones include Tata Group’s $11 billion fab project with Taiwan’s Powerchip and Micron’s $3 billion facility, positioning India at the heart of the next wave of digital manufacturing. For non-Indian companies, Graphcore’s expansion signals India’s emergence as a strategic destination for AI and chip R&D partnerships, offering access to a vast talent pool, competitive costs, and proximity to major Asian supply chains — a combination increasingly vital in the evolving global tech order.
https://cio.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/investments/softbanks-graphcore-plans-1-3-billion-chip-investment-in-india/124404130?utm_source=Mailer&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=etcio_news_2025-10-09&dt=2025-10-09&em=cHJlbWppdGhrQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ==

小編點評:現由軟銀集團持有的 Graphcore 將在班加羅爾投資10億英鎊設立AI晶片研發中心,五年內創造500個職缺,並於英國首相Keir Starmer訪印期間強化英印科技合作。這反映全球對印度86億美元半導體推動策略的信心,並使印度定位為AI創新、晶片研發與數位製造的戰略樞紐。

Air India and Taiwan’s Starlux Ink Interline Pact to Boost Connectivity Across Asia
印度航空與台灣星宇航空簽署聯運協議,強化亞洲航網連結

Air India has signed an interline agreement with Taiwan-based Starlux Airlines, enabling passengers of both carriers to enjoy seamless travel on single-ticket itineraries across India and East Asia. The partnership allows Air India customers to access Taipei via key Southeast Asian hubs — Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, and Kuala Lumpur — while Starlux passengers gain smooth connections to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru. The agreement ensures coordinated baggage handling and simplified transfers, enhancing travel convenience. Nipun Aggarwal, Air India’s Chief Commercial Officer, said the partnership aligns with the airline’s commitment to offering premium global connectivity while welcoming Starlux passengers to explore India through its extensive domestic network.

The collaboration marks another strategic step in Air India’s global expansion following its recent tie-up with Air Astana of Kazakhstan, which enhanced connectivity to Almaty, a rising Central Asian hub. For non-Indian companies, these alliances highlight India’s growing aviation network as a regional connector between South Asia, East Asia, and Central Asia, creating new opportunities for tourism, business travel, and logistics partnerships in a rapidly integrating Indo-Pacific air corridor.

https://www.ndtvprofit.com/business/air-india-in-pact-with-taiwan-starlux-to-provide-better-travel-experience

小編點評:印度航空與台灣星宇航空簽署聯運協議,讓旅客可透過香港、曼谷、新加坡等主要樞紐以單張機票暢行印度與東亞,提升航網連通性與轉機便利性。繼印度航空近期與哈薩克航空合作後,此舉更加強化印度作為印太區域航空樞紐的角色,也為觀光、商務與物流帶來更多合作機會。

India Eases Path for Chinese Investment in Electronics Manufacturing, Prioritizes Technology Transfer and Skill Development
印度放寬中國企業在電子製造領域投資門檻,優先技術移轉與人才培育

In a significant policy shift, the Indian government is taking steps to encourage Chinese investment in the electronics manufacturing sector, focusing on technology transfer and local workforce training as core components of its industrial strategy. Officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) have emphasized that India’s long-term goal of building a self-reliant manufacturing base for complex electronic components cannot be achieved through assembly operations alone. The government is streamlining the technology transfer process under the Electronics Manufacturing Competitiveness Scheme (ECMS), allowing related expenditures to count toward the investment thresholds. This move is expected to attract foreign firms — particularly Chinese companies — that are seeking to establish joint ventures in India. Recent examples include Dixon Technologies’ tie-up with China’s Longcheer Intelligence to form Dixtel Infocomm, which will produce smartphones, tablets, and smart devices.

Beyond investment, the government is prioritizing local workforce development to reduce India’s reliance on overseas training programs. MeitY officials have acknowledged that while China leads the world in trained manufacturing talent, India faces a shortage of skilled technicians in advanced electronics production. To bridge this gap, foreign partners are being urged to invest in upskilling Indian workers and help create a sustainable talent ecosystem. For non-Indian companies, this evolving framework presents a strategic opportunity to enter one of the world’s fastest-growing electronics markets through joint ventures that balance commercial returns with technology sharing and workforce integration—a model that could redefine global manufacturing collaborations in the post-China era.
https://observervoice.com/india-explores-chinese-joint-ventures-in-ecms-for-enhanced-tech-transfer-and-knowledge-development-150477/

小編點評:印度正放寬限制以吸引中國企業投入電子製造,並在「電子製造競爭力計畫」下強調技術移轉與本地人才培育。政府鼓勵如Dixtel Infocomm之類的合資設立,要求外國合作夥伴投資印度技術人才升級,以建立自給自足的生態系,使印度在「後中國時期」全球製造新格局中取得關鍵地位。