Taiwan Positions Itself as Key Partner in India’s Digital and High-Tech Growth
At the Convergence India Expo 2026, the Executive Director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India emphasised Taiwan’s commitment to supporting India’s digital transformation, highlighting its role as a strategic partner in the country’s expanding high-tech ecosystem. She noted that Taiwan’s capabilities span the entire value chain—from smartphone and IoT manufacturing to advanced high-tech product design—aligning closely with flagship initiatives such as Digital India and the India AI Mission. Stressing Taiwan’s global leadership in semiconductors and artificial intelligence, she described the partnership as one that goes beyond supply, offering India a trusted collaborator in innovation and technological advancement.
The growing synergy between the two economies is reflected in record bilateral trade of USD 12.5 billion last year, alongside increasing investments by Taiwanese firms in India’s electronics manufacturing, semiconductor, and automotive sectors. At the expo, Taiwan Excellence showcased next-generation solutions across Edge AI, industrial computing, AI infrastructure, connectivity, and smart mobility, with participation from 17 leading Taiwanese technology companies. As India accelerates demand for digital infrastructure, resilient supply chains, and smart manufacturing, this deepening collaboration signals expanding opportunities not only for Taiwanese and Indian firms but also for non-Indian companies seeking entry into India’s high-growth tech market through partnerships, supply chain integration, and co-innovation platforms.
Editor’s Note: At Convergence India Expo 2026, Taiwan positioned itself as a strategic partner in India’s digital transformation, showcasing strengths in semiconductors, AI, and advanced manufacturing aligned with initiatives like Digital India and the India AI Mission. With bilateral trade hitting USD 12.5 billion and rising Taiwanese investments in electronics, semiconductors, and automotive, the collaboration signals expanding opportunities for Indian, Taiwanese, and global firms in India’s high-growth tech ecosystem.
India–Taiwan Trade Hits $12.5 Billion in 2025, Strengthening High-Tech Partnership
Bilateral trade between India and Taiwan reached US$12.5 billion in 2025, marking a 17% year-on-year increase, underscoring the deepening economic engagement between the two sides. India’s exports to Taiwan stood at US$3.3 billion, led by mineral fuels, metals, and chemicals, while Taiwan’s exports to India totalled US$9.2 billion, driven by plastics, electronic integrated circuits, and electrical machinery. Speaking at the Taiwan Excellence Expo in New Delhi, Estela Chen (Chen Yu-Chi), Director of the Economic Division at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC), highlighted Taiwan’s global leadership in semiconductors, AI servers, AIoT solutions, and edge computing, positioning the island as a key partner in India’s digital transformation. She noted that Taiwanese firms are expanding investments across India’s electronics manufacturing, semiconductor, and automotive sectors, while Indian companies are exploring opportunities in Taiwan’s IT and engineering industries.
With over 300 Taiwanese companies now operating in India and cumulative Taiwanese investments reaching US$1.68 billion across 198 projects, the partnership is gaining strategic momentum, supported by frameworks such as the 2018 MOU between TAITRA and ITPO. Despite this progress, Taiwan’s trade with India remains modest compared to its engagements with major economies like the United States, China, South Korea, and Japan, indicating significant untapped potential. As India’s demand for digital infrastructure, smart manufacturing, and resilient supply chains accelerates, ongoing initiatives such as the Technology and Innovation International Park (TIIP) project further signal long-term collaboration. This evolving ecosystem also presents a compelling entry point for non-Indian companies, which can leverage India–Taiwan partnerships for supply chain diversification, access to high-tech talent, and participation in emerging sectors spanning semiconductors, AI, and advanced manufacturing.
Editor’s Note: India–Taiwan trade rose 17% to US$12.5 billion in 2025, with Taiwan’s exports led by electronics and machinery and India’s by fuels, metals, and chemicals, underscoring growing high-tech collaboration. With over 300 Taiwanese firms investing US$1.68 billion in India and initiatives like TIIP advancing, the partnership is gaining strategic momentum, offering opportunities in semiconductors, AI, and advanced manufacturing for both sides and global entrants.
India Approves $3.63 Billion Plan to Build 100 Industrial Parks to Boost Manufacturing
India’s Cabinet has approved a US$3.63 billion plan to develop 100 industrial parks aimed at strengthening the country’s domestic manufacturing ecosystem, Information Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on March 18. The parks will be developed through joint ventures involving state governments and a state-run company, reflecting a coordinated federal approach to industrial expansion. According to Industry Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia, the government targets the development of around 33,000 acres of manufacturing land over six years, with individual parks ranging from 100 to 1,000 acres. Financial support of up to 10 million rupees per acre will be provided to build core and social infrastructure, signalling a strong push to create integrated, investment-ready industrial hubs.
In a parallel move, the Cabinet also approved 117 billion rupees to support minimum support prices for cotton procurement for the 2023–24 crop season, reinforcing support for the agricultural sector alongside industrial growth. The large-scale industrial park initiative is expected to accelerate India’s manufacturing ambitions, improve supply chain resilience, and attract both domestic and foreign investment. For non-Indian companies, the programme presents a significant opportunity to enter or expand within India’s rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape by leveraging government-backed infrastructure, forming joint ventures, and integrating into emerging industrial clusters aligned with global supply chains.
Editor’s Note: India’s Cabinet has approved a US$3.63 billion plan to build 100 industrial parks over six years, creating 33,000 acres of investment-ready land with strong infrastructure support to boost manufacturing. Alongside measures like cotton procurement support, the initiative aims to strengthen supply chain resilience, attract global investment, and open new opportunities for foreign firms in India’s evolving industrial ecosystem.
India Tightens Solar Localisation Push with 2028 Ingot and Wafer Proposal
India has proposed a new rule requiring clean energy companies to use only locally manufactured solar ingots and wafers from June 2028, marking a significant expansion of its renewable energy localisation strategy. Announced by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the proposal is aimed at reducing India’s heavy reliance on Chinese imports and ensuring domestic sourcing across the entire solar panel manufacturing chain. India’s current production capacity for ingots and wafers is estimated at around 2 GW, but leading firms such as Waaree Energies, Tata Power, and Indosol Solar have already proposed multi-billion-rupee investments to expand local renewable manufacturing as the country advances toward its 500 GW non-fossil fuel energy target by 2030.
The move builds on existing mandates that already require locally assembled solar panels in state-run projects and the upcoming June 2026 requirement for domestically produced solar cells, signalling a stronger push into upstream solar manufacturing. By closing gaps in the supply chain for wafers, ingots, and related materials, the policy is expected to drive fresh investments in equipment, materials processing, and advanced clean-tech infrastructure. For non-Indian companies, the proposal carries clear strategic importance, as global solar suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and energy investors may increasingly need to establish local partnerships, manufacturing bases, or joint ventures in India to remain competitive in one of the world’s fastest-growing renewable energy markets.
Editor’s Note: India has proposed requiring locally made solar ingots and wafers from June 2028 to reduce reliance on Chinese imports and strengthen its renewable energy supply chain. Building on existing localisation mandates, the move is expected to drive major investments in upstream solar manufacturing and create opportunities for global firms to establish local partnerships and bases in India’s fast-growing clean energy market.
India Pushes for Self-Reliant Drone Manufacturing Ecosystem Amid Rising Global Security Lessons
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called for the urgent development of a robust domestic drone manufacturing ecosystem, citing the decisive role of drones and counter-drone systems in conflicts such as Russia–Ukraine and Iran–Israel. Speaking at the National Defence Industries Conclave on March 19, 2026, Singh stressed that India’s future defence preparedness and strategic autonomy depend on full self-reliance in drone production, from platform design to critical subsystems such as software, engines, batteries, and moulds. He also highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, and simulation technologies in reshaping advanced defence manufacturing, while urging industry leaders to focus on higher product quality and deeper component-level localisation.
The remarks signal a broader policy push to strengthen India’s indigenous defence technology base by integrating start-ups, MSMEs, public sector undertakings, and private defence manufacturers into a more resilient production ecosystem. With drones increasingly central to surveillance, logistics, and future warfare, the government’s emphasis on end-to-end localisation is expected to accelerate investment across propulsion systems, sensors, avionics, software, and battery technologies. This shift is also strategically relevant for non-Indian companies, particularly global aerospace suppliers, component makers, electronics firms, and defence technology partners, as participation in India’s fast-growing drone and counter-drone market may increasingly require local manufacturing partnerships, technology transfer, joint development programmes, and supply chain integration with Indian firms.
Editor’s Note: India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has urged full self-reliance in drone manufacturing, stressing localisation of platforms, subsystems, and advanced technologies like AI and robotics to strengthen defence preparedness. The policy push aims to integrate start-ups, MSMEs, and private firms into a resilient ecosystem, creating opportunities for global aerospace and defence companies through local partnerships, technology transfer, and joint development in India’s fast-growing drone market.
India’s AI Funding Surge Masks a Fierce Startup Survival Race
India’s artificial intelligence startup ecosystem is witnessing a sharp surge in venture capital, with investments rising from US$438 million in 2023 to US$832 million in 2025, and 2026 already on track to surpass previous records. However, behind the funding momentum lies a deeper structural reset, as rapidly advancing foundational models are eroding the uniqueness of many early AI ventures. According to the Economic Times report, startups that once relied on chatbot wrappers and narrow generative AI use cases are now being forced to reinvent themselves as their earlier innovations risk becoming commoditised features. This has led to widespread pivots toward applied AI, enterprise SaaS, vertical AI solutions, and infrastructure tooling, where proprietary data and industry-specific complexity offer stronger competitive moats.
The report highlights that India’s AI opportunity remains substantial, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, legal services, finance, agriculture, and multilingual digital services, but only startups capable of building defensible domain depth are likely to survive the next phase of disruption. Investors are increasingly shifting capital toward AI infrastructure, India-specific foundational models, and workflow-driven enterprise applications rather than superficial model wrappers. For non-Indian companies, the trend is highly relevant as it signals growing opportunities for cross-border partnerships in enterprise AI deployment, data infrastructure, specialised vertical applications, and multilingual AI systems, while also serving as a warning that success in India’s AI market will increasingly depend on deep localisation, proprietary datasets, and sector-specific execution rather than generic AI layers alone.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/artificial-intelligence/hard-reset-indias-ai-investment-boom-masks-a-deeper-battle-for-survival/articleshow/129758213.cms?from=mdr
Editor’s Note: India’s AI startup funding surged from US$438 million in 2023 to US$832 million in 2025, with 2026 set to break records, but many early ventures face commoditisation as foundational models advance. Startups are pivoting toward applied AI, enterprise SaaS, and vertical solutions, while investors focus on infrastructure and India-specific models—creating opportunities for global firms in enterprise AI, multilingual systems, and sector-specific applications.
India’s EV Ambitions Face Charging Infrastructure Reality Check
India’s push toward transport electrification is gaining renewed strategic urgency amid rising concerns over energy security, but inadequate charging infrastructure continues to threaten the pace of adoption. A recent on-road experience by an EV motorist travelling between Delhi and Jaipur underscored persistent operational gaps, including inaccurate app-based charger availability, sparse station networks, and frequent outages at charging points. These ground-level bottlenecks help explain why EV penetration remained below 8% in fiscal 2025, well short of the trajectory required to meet the government’s target of 30% of annual vehicle sales being electric by 2030. According to the article, India may need as many as 1.3 million charging stations by the end of the decade to support an estimated 50 million EVs, highlighting the scale of infrastructure expansion still required despite more than ₹40,000 crore in incentives spent over the past decade.
The report argues that the next phase of India’s EV transition will depend less on additional purchase incentives and more on forcing deeper participation from domestic automakers in charging infrastructure deployment. With around 20 charging point operators currently active, fragmented regulations, uncertain returns, and limited capital continue to slow nationwide network expansion and maintenance. Drawing parallels with global markets such as the United States, Europe, South Korea, and Japan, where automaker-led consortiums helped build charging ecosystems, the article suggests India may need a similar model involving stronger government mandates and industry collaboration. This carries clear relevance for non-Indian companies as global EV makers, charging technology providers, grid equipment suppliers, software platform firms, and infrastructure investors could find significant opportunities in India’s evolving charging ecosystem, particularly through partnerships, interoperability platforms, and long-term infrastructure financing models.
Editor’s Note: India’s EV adoption faces a major hurdle as inadequate charging infrastructure—marked by sparse networks, outages, and unreliable availability—keeps penetration below 8% in FY2025, far from the 2030 target of 30%. To meet demand for 50 million EVs and 1.3 million chargers by decade’s end, India may need automaker-led consortiums and stronger mandates, creating significant opportunities for global EV makers, charging tech providers, and infrastructure investors through local partnerships and financing models.