Modi Ministers Push ‘Made in India’ Apps Amid Rising Trade Tensions with U.S.
Three senior ministers in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet are championing Indian-made digital platforms as alternatives to U.S. tech giants, reflecting New Delhi’s intensified push for technological self-reliance following Washington’s 50% tariff on Indian imports in August. Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw showcased presentations using Zoho instead of Microsoft PowerPoint and MapmyIndia in place of Google Maps, describing them as “Swadeshi” solutions. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan have also publicly endorsed Zoho’s messaging app Arattai, helping its downloads surge from under 10,000 in August to over 400,000 last month, according to Sensor Tower data.
Despite the government’s strong backing, experts caution that domestic platforms face an uphill task against global incumbents like Microsoft, Google, and Meta, which dominate India’s digital ecosystem. Past examples, such as the now-defunct Indian social media app Koo, underscore the difficulty of sustaining such ventures without scale and funding. For non-Indian companies, the move signals India’s growing appetite for local tech ecosystems and a potentially more protectionist digital market — one that could reshape how foreign firms position their products and partnerships in the world’s fastest-growing internet economy.
Editor’s Note: Amid rising trade tensions with the U.S., Modi cabinet ministers are promoting Indian-made apps like Zoho, MapmyIndia, and Arattai as “Swadeshi” alternatives to American tech giants, driving a surge in downloads and signaling a push for digital self-reliance. However, experts warn that despite government support, local platforms face steep challenges competing with dominant global players, hinting at a more protectionist shift in India’s digital market.
China Signals Openness to Deeper Trade Ties as India Weighs RCEP Reconsideration
China has expressed optimism about expanding trade and investment with India amid shifting global trade dynamics following steep U.S. tariffs on both nations. Leqing Zhang, director of the Center for International Finance Studies in Beijing, said India’s potential entry into the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) could make Indian exports more competitive, with tariffs possibly dropping to zero within a decade. Despite India’s earlier decision to stay out of the bloc to protect domestic industries and farmers from cheaper Chinese imports, Zhang noted that closer economic cooperation could help balance the $99 billion trade deficit and open new avenues for collaboration in manufacturing, tourism, and services.
Zhang also pointed to India’s robust 7.8% GDP growth in the April–June quarter of FY 2025, contrasting with China’s steady 5% growth, as evidence of India’s economic momentum. He highlighted technology, artificial intelligence, and the green transition as shared growth drivers that could foster bilateral investment. For non-Indian companies, deeper India–China trade engagement and potential RCEP inclusion could reshape Asia’s supply chain landscape—encouraging regional sourcing, new joint ventures, and a recalibration of market strategies in response to growing protectionism from the United States.
Editor’s Note: China has signaled interest in strengthening trade ties with India, suggesting that India’s potential entry into the RCEP could boost export competitiveness and help address the $99 billion trade deficit through collaboration in manufacturing, tourism, and services. With India’s strong 7.8% GDP growth and shared interests in tech and green innovation, deeper bilateral engagement could reshape Asia’s supply chains and market strategies amid rising U.S. protectionism.
India, Qatar to Fast-Track Free Trade Agreement Talks, Aim to Double Trade by 2030
India and Qatar have agreed to accelerate negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as part of a broader plan to double bilateral trade by 2030, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced during his visit to Doha. The two sides are finalising the terms of reference to launch formal talks soon. Goyal said there is growing enthusiasm in Qatar to attract partnerships with Indian businesses, both for bilateral ventures and third-country projects, with the Qatar Development Bank offering guaranteed financing. The proposed collaboration spans infrastructure, energy, and technology — sectors central to India’s expanding engagement with the Gulf region.
Bilateral trade between the two countries reached $14.15 billion in FY25, dominated by Qatari exports of petroleum and LNG. India, which already has a trade pact with the UAE and is close to finalising one with Oman, sees Qatar as a strategic partner in deepening its Gulf economic footprint. For non-Indian companies, an India–Qatar FTA could open new avenues in energy infrastructure, logistics, and technology partnerships, while potentially reshaping regional trade routes and investment flows across the Middle East and South Asia.
Editor’s Note: India and Qatar have agreed to fast-track Free Trade Agreement talks, aiming to double bilateral trade by 2030 through partnerships in infrastructure, energy, and technology, with Qatar offering financing support. With $14.15 billion in FY25 trade dominated by petroleum and LNG, the FTA could deepen India’s Gulf engagement and reshape regional investment flows and trade routes.
India’s $13 Billion Electronics Supply Chain Push Draws Strong Industry Response
India’s new Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) has attracted overwhelming industry interest, with 249 applications proposing investments worth $13 billion (₹1.15 trillion) — nearly double the government’s initial target. Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the proposals also include projected electronics production of over ₹10.34 trillion ($116 billion), surpassing expectations and aligning with India’s goal of building a $500-billion domestic electronics ecosystem by FY31. The ECMS, launched in March, offers incentives of up to 10% on production and 50% on capital expenditure over six years to boost local manufacturing of key components like PCBs, camera modules, lithium cells, and enclosures. Over 60% of applications came from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), indicating broad-based participation across the sector.
The scheme marks a significant leap from the earlier SPECS initiative, which generated just $1.6 billion in investments. By developing a robust domestic supply chain, ECMS aims to reduce India’s dependence on imported electronic parts amid growing geopolitical uncertainty. For non-Indian companies, this presents both opportunities and challenges — multinational suppliers may need to localize production or form joint ventures to retain market share, while equipment makers and technology providers could find new openings in India’s rapidly expanding electronics manufacturing landscape.
Editor’s Note: India’s Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) has drawn $13 billion in proposed investments from 249 applicants—mostly MSMEs—far exceeding targets and supporting the country’s ambition to build a $500-billion electronics ecosystem by FY31. Offering generous incentives, ECMS aims to reduce import dependence and reshape the supply chain, creating both opportunities and challenges for global firms navigating India’s expanding manufacturing landscape.
India Releases Draft Rules to Enforce Online Real Money Gaming Ban, Sets Framework for E-sports and Social Games
India has released draft rules under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Act, 2025, which officially prohibits all real money games (RMG) such as poker, rummy and fantasy sports. The draft rules, issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology for public consultation until the end of October, outline a regulatory framework to promote e-sports and online social games, define game categories, and establish a National Online Social Games and E-sports Registry. While the Act was passed earlier this year and slated for enforcement on October 1, the draft rules do not specify an exact implementation date — giving operators time to comply. Most RMG platforms in India have already ceased operations.
E-sports will be regulated by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, while social games without monetary rewards will be exempt from mandatory registration. An Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI) will be set up to oversee enforcement, registration, and classification of games, with representation from multiple ministries. For non-Indian companies, particularly gaming and fintech firms, the draft rules signal a major market shift — closing off India’s vast RMG segment but opening clearer pathways for e-sports, casual gaming, and age-appropriate digital entertainment. This regulatory clarity may shape new investment strategies and product offerings tailored to India’s evolving digital gaming landscape.
Editor’s Note: India’s draft rules under the PROG Act, 2025 ban all real money games like poker and fantasy sports, while establishing a regulatory framework to promote e-sports and social games, with oversight by a new Online Gaming Authority. This shift signals major changes for global gaming and fintech firms, closing off the RMG market but opening new avenues in e-sports, casual gaming, and digital entertainment.
Think Tank Proposes Single ‘Digital Ecosystem Ministry’ to Oversee Telecom, IT, and Broadcasting
Researchers at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) have proposed that India merge its telecom, broadcasting, and information technology ministries into a unified Ministry of Digital Ecosystem (MoDE) to streamline governance of digital infrastructure and content. In their report “Governing Digital India,” CSEP fellows Deepak Maheshwari and Bhavna Sharma argued that a single ministry, backed by unified legislation and a dedicated regulator, could reduce overlaps and conflicts between existing laws governing carriage (mobile networks) and content. They said this integration would ensure cohesive policy-making in areas like communications, data protection, and artificial intelligence, which are currently fragmented across multiple agencies including TRAI, MeitY, CCI, NITI Aayog, and others.
The report also suggested the creation of a specialised tribunal to handle disputes across these domains, thereby increasing regulatory efficiency and legal clarity. For non-Indian companies, particularly those operating in telecom, media, and digital services, such consolidation could simplify compliance and policymaking engagement in India’s rapidly evolving digital market. However, a unified regulator might also bring tighter scrutiny on data, competition, and content — requiring global firms to adapt to a more integrated and possibly stringent governance framework.
Editor’s Note: Researchers at CSEP have proposed merging India’s telecom, IT, and broadcasting ministries into a single Ministry of Digital Ecosystem (MoDE) to streamline governance and unify policy-making across communications, data protection, and AI. While this could simplify compliance for global firms, it may also introduce stricter oversight on data, competition, and content in India’s digital market.