Fraunhofer IPMS Eyes India Expansion Amid Semiconductor Push
德國弗勞恩霍夫IPMS研究所在半導體蓬勃發展的當下關注印度的擴展
Germany-based Fraunhofer Institute for Photonics and Microsystems (IPMS) is expanding its engagement with India’s electronics and semiconductor ecosystem as the country accelerates efforts to build a stronger domestic microelectronics industry. Speaking to EE Times, Michael Scholles, corporate business development manager at Fraunhofer IPMS, said the institute views India as an emerging force in semiconductor technologies, supported by government-backed initiatives aimed at strengthening the sector. He noted that the organization sees India transitioning toward a more active role in semiconductor and microelectronics development through increased industrial and research collaboration.
At a recent trade exhibition in Noida, Fraunhofer IPMS showcased sensor technologies focused on industrial digitalization and received encouraging responses from Indian companies interested in its offerings. Scholles added that areas such as MEMS and photonics are gaining momentum in India, although identifying the right industry and research partners remains a challenge. Discussions with companies in Bengaluru reportedly reflected strong interest in collaboration opportunities. The institute’s growing engagement with India also signals broader opportunities for non-Indian technology firms seeking partnerships, contract research support, and access to India’s expanding semiconductor and electronics manufacturing ecosystem.
編按：弗勞恩霍夫IPMS研究所深化與印度半導體和電子生態系統的合作，認為在政府扶持下，印度已成為微電子領域的新興力量。該研究所在諾伊達展示了感測器技術，並對微機電系統和光電等領域青睞有加。在班加羅爾舉行的合作商談，凸顯了全球企業與印度蓬勃的產業開展合作的廣闊機會。
Yotta, Gorilla Technology Expand India AI Infrastructure Partnership with $2.8 Billion Project
Yotta與Gorilla Technology擴大在印度人工智慧基礎設施領域的合作，推出28億美元專案
UK-headquartered Gorilla Technology Group has expanded its artificial intelligence infrastructure collaboration with Yotta Data Services through a project valued at approximately $2.8 billion, according to a company statement reported by The Economic Times. Under the agreement, an additional 20,736 B300 GPU cards will be deployed across India to strengthen large-scale AI compute infrastructure, with deployment expected to be completed by September 30, 2026. The expansion builds on an earlier framework between the two firms involving around 640 high-performance servers equipped with more than 5,000 GPUs for AI workloads. NVIDIA is expected to account for nearly half of the offtake under the latest tranche through a four-year commitment linked to establishing one of the Asia-Pacific region’s largest NVIDIA DGX Cloud clusters in India.
Sunil Gupta, co-founder, managing director and CEO of Yotta Data Services, said the collaboration is helping accelerate the company’s AI infrastructure development to meet growing hyperscale, sovereign and enterprise demand within India. Yotta currently operates hyperscale data centre parks in Panvel near Navi Mumbai and Greater Noida in Delhi NCR. The project highlights India’s growing importance as an AI infrastructure hub in the Asia-Pacific region and signals increasing opportunities for non-Indian technology firms, chipmakers, cloud providers and infrastructure companies seeking partnerships in India’s rapidly expanding AI and semiconductor ecosystem.
編按：Gorilla Technology Group已通過一項價值28億美元的專案，擴大與Yotta Data Services的AI基礎設施合作。該計畫將於2026年9月前在印度部署超過2萬個GPU，其中包括亞太地區最大的NVIDIA DGX雲端聚落之一。此舉將增強Yotta位於潘維爾和大諾伊達地區的超大規模資料中心，使印度成為新興的AI基礎設施中心為全球科技公司和晶片製造商帶來新的商機。
India Intensifies Talks with US, Anthropic Over Access to Advanced AI Model ‘Mythos’
印度加緊與美國和Anthropico公司就取得先進人工智慧模式「Mythos」進行談判
India has intensified discussions with the United States administration and AI company Anthropic after being excluded from the initial access programme for Mythos, the company’s advanced artificial intelligence model that has raised concerns over cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection. According to officials cited by Economic Times, the Centre is exploring mechanisms to ensure Indian firms receive fair access to the model while safeguarding sensitive sectors such as banking, telecom and power infrastructure. Anthropic reportedly claims Mythos is capable of rapidly identifying and exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities — hidden software flaws that attackers can misuse before developers detect them — across operating systems, browsers and other widely used digital platforms.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the issue was being addressed at the highest levels, with the Ministry of Electronics and IT holding discussions with the US administration, Anthropic and companies currently testing the model under Project Glasswing, a restricted programme involving around 40 firms, most of them based in the United States. Indian officials and cybersecurity experts have expressed concern over the possibility of powerful AI tools being concentrated among select private players despite their implications for national security. Agencies including CERT-In and the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre have reportedly been asked to strengthen preparedness measures and review vulnerabilities in critical systems. The developments also highlight growing challenges for non-Indian companies operating globally, as advanced AI systems with dual-use cybersecurity capabilities are expected to reshape international regulations, cross-border technology access, corporate cyber defence strategies and critical infrastructure risk management.
編按：被排除在Anthropic公司先進人工智慧模型Mythos的初始測試計畫之外後，印度敦促美國政府和Anthropic公司能公平取得該模式的使用權。Mythos擁有強大的網路安全功能。官員和專家警告，將此類工具集中在少數私營企業手中會帶來國家安全風險，在全球企業面臨監管、技術獲取和關鍵基礎設施保護等全新挑戰的當下，促使像印度計算機應急應變小組（CERT-In）這樣的機構加強防範的準備。
AI-Driven Deflation Pressures Indian IT Sector Even as Innovation Opportunities Expand
人工智慧驅動的通縮給印度IT產業帶來壓力，即便創新機會不斷擴大
Artificial intelligence-led deflation is beginning to weigh on India’s information technology services industry, with analysts warning of slower growth, pricing pressure and weaker demand for traditional outsourcing work. According to a report highlighted by ETCIO, AI adoption is reducing the need for conventional IT services as enterprises increasingly automate workflows and optimise operations using generative AI tools. Kotak Institutional Equities estimated a base-case deflation impact of around 3.5% on the industry, while some firms indicated even steeper pressure in specific segments. March-quarter earnings from major IT companies reflected the trend, with softer revenue growth and delayed programme ramp-ups contributing to cautious guidance across the sector.
Despite the near-term challenges, the report noted that AI-driven disruption is also opening new avenues for innovation and technology spending. Demand is expected to grow in areas such as data architecture, AI governance, automation frameworks and agentic workflows, with mid-tier firms viewed as better positioned to adapt quickly to these shifts. Industry leaders believe that while AI is compressing margins in routine IT services, it is simultaneously creating opportunities for high-value transformation projects and product-led offerings. The evolving landscape is also relevant for non-Indian companies, particularly global enterprises and technology providers that rely on Indian IT partners, as AI-led restructuring is expected to reshape outsourcing models, pricing strategies, talent requirements and cross-border digital transformation investments worldwide.
編按：人工智慧的普及給印度的IT服務業帶來了通縮壓力，導致成長放緩、定價挑戰以及對傳統外包需求的疲軟。同時，人工智慧也在資料架構、人工智慧治理和自動化框架等領域催生了新的商機，使中型企業能夠更快適應變化，並推動高價值轉型專案和由產品帶領的提案。
UPI Completes Decade of Growth, Reshaping India’s Digital Payments Ecosystem
UPI十年發展有成，重塑印度數位支付生態系統
India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has completed a decade of operations, emerging as one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing digital payment systems while significantly transforming the country’s financial ecosystem. According to an ETGovernment report, UPI has evolved from a digital payments initiative into critical public digital infrastructure, enabling seamless real-time transactions across banks, merchants and consumers. The platform has seen exponential adoption across urban and rural India alike, driven by smartphone penetration, fintech innovation and government-backed digital inclusion efforts. UPI’s ease of use, interoperability and low transaction costs have helped accelerate cashless payments, supporting millions of small businesses, street vendors and consumers in daily transactions.
The report noted that UPI’s success has also strengthened India’s position as a global model for digital public infrastructure, with several countries and financial institutions studying or partnering on similar frameworks. The system continues to expand through innovations such as credit integration, cross-border payments and enhanced merchant services, further deepening its role in India’s digital economy. The rapid scale and maturity of UPI are also increasingly relevant for non-Indian companies, including global fintech firms, banks, payment processors and technology providers, as India’s digital payments architecture is influencing international discussions around interoperable payment systems, financial inclusion, low-cost transaction networks and public digital infrastructure models.
編按：UPI作為全球最大的數位支付系統之一，已走過十年歷程，透過即時、低成本的交易，為數百萬企業和消費者提供支持，從而改變了印度的金融生態系統。 UPI的成功使印度成為全球數位公共基礎設施的典範，持續的創新，例如信用整合和跨境支付，正在影響國際框架和金融科技合作。
India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement Opens Path for $20 Billion Investment Push
印度–紐西蘭自由貿易協定為200億美元的投資鋪路
India and New Zealand have signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) aimed at strengthening bilateral trade, investment and workforce mobility while deepening economic ties in the Indo-Pacific region. According to an ETGovernment report, the agreement grants duty-free access for 100% of Indian exports to New Zealand from the date the pact comes into force, benefiting sectors such as textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, engineering goods, processed foods and gems and jewellery. The deal was signed in New Delhi by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay. India has also secured access to critical manufacturing inputs including coking coal, wooden logs and metal scrap, while sensitive sectors such as dairy, onions, sugar and edible oils remain protected from tariff liberalisation.
The agreement also expands opportunities in services and talent mobility, with New Zealand offering market access across 118 service sectors and creating visa pathways for 5,000 Indian professionals, alongside extended post-study work opportunities for Indian students. A major highlight of the pact is New Zealand’s commitment to facilitate investments worth $20 billion into India over the next 15 years in areas including manufacturing, renewable energy, infrastructure, startups and emerging technologies. The FTA reflects India’s broader strategy of pursuing targeted bilateral trade agreements amid shifting global supply chains and economic uncertainty. The development is also significant for non-Indian companies, particularly multinational manufacturers, exporters, logistics firms and technology providers, as the agreement is expected to create new cross-border investment opportunities, diversify Indo-Pacific supply chains and improve market access for businesses operating across India, Oceania and related regional trade networks.
編按：印度和紐西蘭簽署了具里程碑意義的自由貿易協定，該協定給予印度所有出口商品免稅進入紐西蘭市場，唯乳製品和食用油等敏感部門則在保護之列。該協定也擴大了服務業和人才流動，包括紐西蘭計劃在印度投資200億美元，預計將促進印太地區供應鏈和跨國商業機會的成長。
India Eases FDI Rules for Foreign Firms with Limited Chinese Stakes
India has relaxed foreign direct investment (FDI) norms for overseas companies with up to 10% Chinese or Hong Kong shareholding, allowing them to invest through the automatic route in sectors where such investments are already permitted without prior government approval. According to an Economic Times explainer, the revised rules came into effect from May 1, 2026, through amendments to the Foreign Exchange Management (Non-Debt Instruments) Rules, 2019. The move marks a calibrated easing of restrictions introduced under Press Note 3 in 2020, when India tightened scrutiny of investments from countries sharing a land border with India following heightened geopolitical tensions and concerns over opportunistic acquisitions during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The updated framework clarifies that foreign entities with non-controlling Chinese or Hong Kong ownership below the 10% threshold can invest without seeking government clearance, although the relaxation does not apply to companies registered in China, Hong Kong or other neighbouring countries sharing land borders with India. The government has also introduced expedited approvals for certain manufacturing-related sectors including electronic components, capital goods and polysilicon, while maintaining requirements that majority ownership and control remain with Indian residents in sensitive cases. Officials and industry experts believe the changes could improve capital inflows, ease investment bottlenecks and support India’s manufacturing ambitions without fully diluting national security safeguards. The policy shift is also significant for non-Indian multinational firms, private equity investors and global funds with minority Chinese participation, as it offers greater regulatory clarity and easier access to India’s growing market while reshaping investment structuring strategies for companies operating across global supply chains.
編按：印度政府放寬了外國直接投資（FDI）的規定。從 2026 年 5 月 1 日起，如果外國公司當中的中國大陸或香港股東持股比例不超過 10%，在投資印度政府允許的產業時，可以走「自動審批管道」，也就是不需要事先取得印度政府的批准。