India Expands Trade Push with Philippines PTA and Maldives FTA Talks
印度推動與菲律賓的優惠貿易協定談判，以及與馬爾地夫的自由貿易協定磋商
India has formalised the terms of reference (ToR) with the Philippines and the Maldives to initiate negotiations on new trade agreements, according to the Commerce Ministry. While talks with the Philippines will focus on a preferential trade agreement (PTA) covering tariff reductions on selected goods, discussions with the Maldives aim for a broader free trade agreement (FTA), encompassing tariff cuts across a wider range of goods along with provisions for services and investments. Bilateral trade trends show India’s exports to the Philippines rising modestly to $2.16 billion in 2024–25 even as imports declined, whereas trade with the Maldives saw Indian exports fall sharply while imports increased.
The move comes amid India’s wider effort to recalibrate and expand its trade architecture, including ongoing reviews of its ASEAN goods agreement and the India–Korea CEPA, alongside fresh negotiations with partners such as the GCC, Canada, EU, and New Zealand. Recent FTAs with the UK and Oman are also expected to be implemented soon. For non-Indian companies, these developments signal evolving market access conditions, potential tariff advantages, and shifting supply chain dynamics in South and Southeast Asia, making it important to track sector-specific provisions and rules of origin that may influence competitiveness and investment decisions.
編按：印度已啟動與菲律賓優惠貿易協定，以及與馬爾地夫自由貿易協定的談判，旨在擴大關稅減讓和投資機會。這些措施是印度調整貿易架構整體策略的一部分，該策略還包括與東協、韓國、海灣阿拉伯國家合作委員會、加拿大、歐盟和紐西蘭等夥伴國進行持續審查和新的談判。
India’s Data Centre Capacity Quadruples, Government Backs AI Growth with Subsidised Compute and Power Planning
印度資料中心容量成長四倍，政府透過補貼運算和電力規劃支持人工智慧發展
India’s data centre industry is witnessing steady expansion, with total capacity rising from around 375 MW in 2020 to approximately 1,500 MW by 2025, according to information presented in the Rajya Sabha by Jitin Prasada. To accelerate artificial intelligence development, the government has onboarded 38,231 GPUs through 14 empanelled service providers under its AI compute capacity framework, offering access to startups, researchers, and academia at a subsidised average rate of ₹65 per hour—roughly one-third of global costs. Data centres are distributed across key hubs including Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Noida, and Jamnagar, reflecting a geographically diversified infrastructure build-out.
The government has also factored in the rising infrastructure demands of AI-driven growth, projecting electricity consumption from data centres to reach 13.56 GW by 2031–32, alongside continuous expansion of national transmission networks to ensure reliable supply. The recently passed SHANTI Act aims to strengthen the nuclear energy ecosystem, supporting future deployment of small modular and micro reactors to power emerging sectors. Meanwhile, the industry is adopting advanced cooling technologies and high-density racks to optimise water and energy use under existing groundwater regulations. For non-Indian companies, these developments highlight India’s emergence as a cost-competitive AI and data infrastructure hub, offering opportunities for cloud providers, semiconductor firms, and investors to tap into subsidised compute resources, scalable capacity, and evolving energy frameworks.
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2239616®=3&lang=1
編按：印度的資料中心容量預計將從2020年的375兆瓦以四倍的成長到2025年的1500兆瓦。屆時，印度將在各大城市建置資料中心，並提供政府支持的AI運算補貼資費。為支持此成長，印度政府預計到2031-2032年，資料中心電力需求將達到13.56吉瓦。同時，政府正大力推動核能、冷卻技術和基礎設施規劃，力求將印度打造為具成本競爭力的AI和雲端運算中心。
India Emerges as Global Leader in Generative AI Adoption with Strong ROI, Snowflake Study Finds
Snowflake 研究發現，印度強勁的AI投資報酬率，成為全球生成式人工智慧應用的領導者
Indian enterprises are among the fastest adopters of generative artificial intelligence globally, with 71 percent reporting positive returns on investment, significantly higher than the global average of 61 percent, according to a new report by Snowflake. The study, based on a survey of over 2,000 business and technology leaders across 10 countries, places India among the top three markets for GenAI adoption alongside the United States and Germany. Around 42 percent of Indian organisations have already moved beyond pilot projects to deploy AI at scale across multiple use cases, particularly in IT operations (76 percent), data analytics (75 percent), and cybersecurity (69 percent), all of which exceed global averages.
The report highlights that Indian companies are integrating AI deeply into core operations, especially in software engineering, where 77 percent use AI for code generation and 76 percent for code review and debugging. Enterprises also report strong outcomes, including improved operational efficiency (94 percent), increased innovation (92 percent), and better financial performance (86 percent). Looking ahead, firms in India plan to allocate nearly 28 percent of their technology budgets to generative AI, above the global average, with rapid uptake of agentic AI systems also underway. For non-Indian companies, the findings signal India’s growing importance as a high-maturity AI market, offering opportunities for partnerships, product deployment, and talent sourcing, while also intensifying competitive pressures as Indian firms scale AI-driven efficiencies across sectors.
編按：印度企業是全球採用生成式人工智慧速度最快的企業之一，71%的企業報告投資回報率為正—遠高於全球平均水平—近一半的企業已在IT營運、分析和網路安全領域大規模部署人工智慧。 Snowflake的研究顯示印度將人工智慧深度融入軟體工程等核心職能，從而提升效率、促進創新並帶來經濟效益。企業計畫將近28%的技術預算用於生成式人工智慧。
India Eases Investment Rules for Minority Chinese Stakes, Speeds Up Approvals
印度放寬對中國少數股權的投資規定，加速審核速度
India will offer faster approvals for foreign investments involving minority Chinese stakes, marking a notable policy shift after years of restrictions imposed following the 2020 India-China border clash. Industry Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia said the government has removed the blanket approval requirement for companies with up to 10 percent Chinese ownership and introduced a time-bound clearance mechanism of 60 days for investments in sectors such as electronics, batteries, and rare-earth processing, provided Indian entities retain majority control. An inter-ministerial panel led by the cabinet secretary will continue to review such proposals and may update the list of eligible sectors.
The move reflects a recalibration of policy under Narendra Modi, aimed at supporting domestic manufacturing and addressing capital and technology gaps that emerged under earlier curbs. Industry experts say the streamlined process could revive stalled joint ventures and funding proposals, including previously shelved plans such as a $1 billion investment by BYD. While security vetting will remain in place, the faster and clearer approval framework is expected to accelerate project execution. For non-Indian companies, the policy signals improved investment conditions and potential partnership opportunities in manufacturing ecosystems involving Chinese supply chains, while also highlighting India’s balancing approach between economic openness and national security oversight.
編按：印度放寬了對中國持有少數股權的外國投資的限制，取消了持股比例不超過10%的全面審批要求，並在電子和電池等關鍵領域導入60天的審批流程。這個簡化的框架有望重啟停滯項目，吸引新的合作夥伴，從而在經濟開放與國家安全的監管間維持平衡。
India Eyes $10.8 Billion Semiconductor Fund to Boost Domestic Chip Ecosystem
印度計劃再撥108億美元半導體基金，促進國內晶片生態系統發展
India is preparing a major push to strengthen its position in the global semiconductor race, with the government considering a fund of over ₹1 trillion ($10.8 billion) to support domestic chipmaking, according to sources familiar with the discussions. The proposed initiative, which could be unveiled within the next two to three months, is expected to provide subsidies for chip design, manufacturing equipment, and broader supply-chain development. The move builds on policy momentum under Narendra Modi, as New Delhi seeks to expand its role in global electronics manufacturing amid intensifying competition driven by measures such as the US CHIPS and Science Act and similar efforts in China. Parallel discussions are also underway to extend or redesign incentives for smartphone manufacturing as the current scheme nears its expiry.
The new fund would complement India’s existing $10 billion semiconductor incentive programme launched in 2021, which has already attracted investments from companies including Micron Technology, alongside domestic expansion by Tata Group and commitments from Foxconn Technology Group. While early projects have focused on less advanced chips, India aims to climb the value chain and compete more closely with leading semiconductor hubs such as Taiwan, South Korea, and the United States by 2032. For non-Indian companies, the proposed fund signals expanding opportunities to participate in India’s semiconductor ecosystem through partnerships, supply chain integration, and technology investments, while also intensifying global competition for talent, capital, and fabrication capacity.
編按：印度正考慮設立新的1兆盧比（約108億美元）半導體基金，以支持晶片設計、製造設備和供應鏈發展，該基金充實了現有於2021年啟動的100億美元獎勵計畫。此舉旨在吸引全球和國內投資，幫助印度提升半導體價值鏈地位，期能在2032年前與台灣、韓國和美國等領先中心競爭。
US Launches Section 301 Probes into 16 Economies, Signalling Shift in Trade Strategy
美國啟動對16個經濟體的301條款調查，預示其貿易策略的轉變
The administration of Donald Trump has initiated a new round of trade investigations targeting sixteen economies, including India, in what analysts see as a significant shift in US trade policy. On March 11, 2026, the Office of the United States Trade Representative launched probes under Section 301 to examine trade practices and industrial policies across a broad group of economies, including China, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, and several Southeast Asian nations. The investigations will span key sectors such as steel, aluminium, automobiles, semiconductors, electronics, batteries, and solar modules, signalling a wide-ranging review of global supply chains and competitive dynamics.
According to the Global Trade Research Initiative, the move follows a US Supreme Court ruling that invalidated certain reciprocal tariff measures, effectively prompting a recalibration of Washington’s trade approach. The think tank described the investigations as emerging from the collapse of the earlier tariff strategy, with the US now turning to broader regulatory scrutiny. For non-Indian companies, the development underscores rising trade policy uncertainty and the potential for new tariffs or restrictions across multiple jurisdictions, making it critical for multinational firms to reassess supply chains, compliance exposure, and market strategies in sectors likely to be affected by the probes.
編按：美國對包括印度、中國、歐盟、日本和韓國在內的16個經濟體啟動了301條款調查，涵蓋鋼鐵、半導體、電池和太陽能組件等產業。分析師認為，這是貿易政策的重大轉變，以更廣泛的監管審查取代了以往的關稅策略，加劇了全球供應鏈和跨國公司的不確定性。
India Expands Trade Push with Philippines PTA and Maldives FTA Talks
印度推動與菲律賓的優惠貿易協定談判，以及與馬爾地夫的自由貿易協定磋商
India has formalised the terms of reference (ToR) with the Philippines and the Maldives to initiate negotiations on new trade agreements, according to the Commerce Ministry. While talks with the Philippines will focus on a preferential trade agreement (PTA) covering tariff reductions on selected goods, discussions with the Maldives aim for a broader free trade agreement (FTA), encompassing tariff cuts across a wider range of goods along with provisions for services and investments. Bilateral trade trends show India’s exports to the Philippines rising modestly to $2.16 billion in 2024–25 even as imports declined, whereas trade with the Maldives saw Indian exports fall sharply while imports increased.
The move comes amid India’s wider effort to recalibrate and expand its trade architecture, including ongoing reviews of its ASEAN goods agreement and the India–Korea CEPA, alongside fresh negotiations with partners such as the GCC, Canada, EU, and New Zealand. Recent FTAs with the UK and Oman are also expected to be implemented soon. For non-Indian companies, these developments signal evolving market access conditions, potential tariff advantages, and shifting supply chain dynamics in South and Southeast Asia, making it important to track sector-specific provisions and rules of origin that may influence competitiveness and investment decisions.
編按：印度已啟動與菲律賓優惠貿易協定，以及與馬爾地夫自由貿易協定的談判，旨在擴大關稅減讓和投資機會。這些措施是印度調整貿易架構整體策略的一部分，該策略還包括與東協、韓國、海灣阿拉伯國家合作委員會、加拿大、歐盟和紐西蘭等夥伴國進行持續審查和新的談判。
India’s Data Centre Capacity Quadruples, Government Backs AI Growth with Subsidised Compute and Power Planning
印度資料中心容量成長四倍，政府透過補貼運算和電力規劃支持人工智慧發展
India’s data centre industry is witnessing steady expansion, with total capacity rising from around 375 MW in 2020 to approximately 1,500 MW by 2025, according to information presented in the Rajya Sabha by Jitin Prasada. To accelerate artificial intelligence development, the government has onboarded 38,231 GPUs through 14 empanelled service providers under its AI compute capacity framework, offering access to startups, researchers, and academia at a subsidised average rate of ₹65 per hour—roughly one-third of global costs. Data centres are distributed across key hubs including Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Noida, and Jamnagar, reflecting a geographically diversified infrastructure build-out.
The government has also factored in the rising infrastructure demands of AI-driven growth, projecting electricity consumption from data centres to reach 13.56 GW by 2031–32, alongside continuous expansion of national transmission networks to ensure reliable supply. The recently passed SHANTI Act aims to strengthen the nuclear energy ecosystem, supporting future deployment of small modular and micro reactors to power emerging sectors. Meanwhile, the industry is adopting advanced cooling technologies and high-density racks to optimise water and energy use under existing groundwater regulations. For non-Indian companies, these developments highlight India’s emergence as a cost-competitive AI and data infrastructure hub, offering opportunities for cloud providers, semiconductor firms, and investors to tap into subsidised compute resources, scalable capacity, and evolving energy frameworks.
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2239616®=3&lang=1
編按：印度的資料中心容量預計將從2020年的375兆瓦以四倍的成長到2025年的1500兆瓦。屆時，印度將在各大城市建置資料中心，並提供政府支持的AI運算補貼資費。為支持此成長，印度政府預計到2031-2032年，資料中心電力需求將達到13.56吉瓦。同時，政府正大力推動核能、冷卻技術和基礎設施規劃，力求將印度打造為具成本競爭力的AI和雲端運算中心。
India Emerges as Global Leader in Generative AI Adoption with Strong ROI, Snowflake Study Finds
Snowflake 研究發現，印度強勁的AI投資報酬率，成為全球生成式人工智慧應用的領導者
Indian enterprises are among the fastest adopters of generative artificial intelligence globally, with 71 percent reporting positive returns on investment, significantly higher than the global average of 61 percent, according to a new report by Snowflake. The study, based on a survey of over 2,000 business and technology leaders across 10 countries, places India among the top three markets for GenAI adoption alongside the United States and Germany. Around 42 percent of Indian organisations have already moved beyond pilot projects to deploy AI at scale across multiple use cases, particularly in IT operations (76 percent), data analytics (75 percent), and cybersecurity (69 percent), all of which exceed global averages.
The report highlights that Indian companies are integrating AI deeply into core operations, especially in software engineering, where 77 percent use AI for code generation and 76 percent for code review and debugging. Enterprises also report strong outcomes, including improved operational efficiency (94 percent), increased innovation (92 percent), and better financial performance (86 percent). Looking ahead, firms in India plan to allocate nearly 28 percent of their technology budgets to generative AI, above the global average, with rapid uptake of agentic AI systems also underway. For non-Indian companies, the findings signal India’s growing importance as a high-maturity AI market, offering opportunities for partnerships, product deployment, and talent sourcing, while also intensifying competitive pressures as Indian firms scale AI-driven efficiencies across sectors.
編按：印度企業是全球採用生成式人工智慧速度最快的企業之一，71%的企業報告投資回報率為正—遠高於全球平均水平—近一半的企業已在IT營運、分析和網路安全領域大規模部署人工智慧。 Snowflake的研究顯示印度將人工智慧深度融入軟體工程等核心職能，從而提升效率、促進創新並帶來經濟效益。企業計畫將近28%的技術預算用於生成式人工智慧。
India Eases Investment Rules for Minority Chinese Stakes, Speeds Up Approvals
印度放寬對中國少數股權的投資規定，加速審核速度
India will offer faster approvals for foreign investments involving minority Chinese stakes, marking a notable policy shift after years of restrictions imposed following the 2020 India-China border clash. Industry Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia said the government has removed the blanket approval requirement for companies with up to 10 percent Chinese ownership and introduced a time-bound clearance mechanism of 60 days for investments in sectors such as electronics, batteries, and rare-earth processing, provided Indian entities retain majority control. An inter-ministerial panel led by the cabinet secretary will continue to review such proposals and may update the list of eligible sectors.
The move reflects a recalibration of policy under Narendra Modi, aimed at supporting domestic manufacturing and addressing capital and technology gaps that emerged under earlier curbs. Industry experts say the streamlined process could revive stalled joint ventures and funding proposals, including previously shelved plans such as a $1 billion investment by BYD. While security vetting will remain in place, the faster and clearer approval framework is expected to accelerate project execution. For non-Indian companies, the policy signals improved investment conditions and potential partnership opportunities in manufacturing ecosystems involving Chinese supply chains, while also highlighting India’s balancing approach between economic openness and national security oversight.
編按：印度放寬了對中國持有少數股權的外國投資的限制，取消了持股比例不超過10%的全面審批要求，並在電子和電池等關鍵領域導入60天的審批流程。這個簡化的框架有望重啟停滯項目，吸引新的合作夥伴，從而在經濟開放與國家安全的監管間維持平衡。
India Eyes $10.8 Billion Semiconductor Fund to Boost Domestic Chip Ecosystem
印度計劃再撥108億美元半導體基金，促進國內晶片生態系統發展
India is preparing a major push to strengthen its position in the global semiconductor race, with the government considering a fund of over ₹1 trillion ($10.8 billion) to support domestic chipmaking, according to sources familiar with the discussions. The proposed initiative, which could be unveiled within the next two to three months, is expected to provide subsidies for chip design, manufacturing equipment, and broader supply-chain development. The move builds on policy momentum under Narendra Modi, as New Delhi seeks to expand its role in global electronics manufacturing amid intensifying competition driven by measures such as the US CHIPS and Science Act and similar efforts in China. Parallel discussions are also underway to extend or redesign incentives for smartphone manufacturing as the current scheme nears its expiry.
The new fund would complement India’s existing $10 billion semiconductor incentive programme launched in 2021, which has already attracted investments from companies including Micron Technology, alongside domestic expansion by Tata Group and commitments from Foxconn Technology Group. While early projects have focused on less advanced chips, India aims to climb the value chain and compete more closely with leading semiconductor hubs such as Taiwan, South Korea, and the United States by 2032. For non-Indian companies, the proposed fund signals expanding opportunities to participate in India’s semiconductor ecosystem through partnerships, supply chain integration, and technology investments, while also intensifying global competition for talent, capital, and fabrication capacity.
編按：印度正考慮設立新的1兆盧比（約108億美元）半導體基金，以支持晶片設計、製造設備和供應鏈發展，該基金充實了現有於2021年啟動的100億美元獎勵計畫。此舉旨在吸引全球和國內投資，幫助印度提升半導體價值鏈地位，期能在2032年前與台灣、韓國和美國等領先中心競爭。
US Launches Section 301 Probes into 16 Economies, Signalling Shift in Trade Strategy
美國啟動對16個經濟體的301條款調查，預示其貿易策略的轉變
The administration of Donald Trump has initiated a new round of trade investigations targeting sixteen economies, including India, in what analysts see as a significant shift in US trade policy. On March 11, 2026, the Office of the United States Trade Representative launched probes under Section 301 to examine trade practices and industrial policies across a broad group of economies, including China, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, and several Southeast Asian nations. The investigations will span key sectors such as steel, aluminium, automobiles, semiconductors, electronics, batteries, and solar modules, signalling a wide-ranging review of global supply chains and competitive dynamics.
According to the Global Trade Research Initiative, the move follows a US Supreme Court ruling that invalidated certain reciprocal tariff measures, effectively prompting a recalibration of Washington’s trade approach. The think tank described the investigations as emerging from the collapse of the earlier tariff strategy, with the US now turning to broader regulatory scrutiny. For non-Indian companies, the development underscores rising trade policy uncertainty and the potential for new tariffs or restrictions across multiple jurisdictions, making it critical for multinational firms to reassess supply chains, compliance exposure, and market strategies in sectors likely to be affected by the probes.
編按：美國對包括印度、中國、歐盟、日本和韓國在內的16個經濟體啟動了301條款調查，涵蓋鋼鐵、半導體、電池和太陽能組件等產業。分析師認為，這是貿易政策的重大轉變，以更廣泛的監管審查取代了以往的關稅策略，加劇了全球供應鏈和跨國公司的不確定性。