MediaTek Strengthens India Presence with New Noida R&D Hub
Taiwanese semiconductor major MediaTek has expanded its India operations by opening a new research and development centre in Noida, marking its second R&D hub in the country after Bengaluru. The company has leased nearly 104,000 square feet of office space at BPTP’s Capital City in Sector 94, with the deal estimated at around ₹144 crore over the lease tenure. According to the company, the facility is aimed at expanding its engineering talent base and strengthening research capabilities in India.
The development highlights Noida’s growing importance as a technology and innovation destination for global firms seeking high-quality infrastructure and access to skilled talent. Industry observers see the move as part of a broader trend of multinational companies diversifying their R&D operations into India beyond traditional hubs such as Bengaluru. For non-Indian companies, MediaTek’s expansion reflects the increasing attractiveness of India as a long-term centre for semiconductor research, product engineering, and innovation-led operations, supported by a large technical workforce and expanding commercial infrastructure.
Editor’s Note: MediaTek has opened a new R&D centre in Noida, its second in India after Bengaluru, leasing 104,000 sq. ft. of office space at BPTP’s Capital City for about ₹144 crore. The move underscores Noida’s rise as a global technology hub and reflects India’s growing appeal as a base for semiconductor research, engineering, and innovation.
India Weighs Emergency Measures to Protect Forex Reserves Amid Iran War Fallout
India is considering a series of emergency economic measures to protect its foreign-exchange reserves as rising oil prices and disruptions linked to the Iran war place increasing pressure on the economy. Officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, Finance Ministry, and the Reserve Bank of India have reportedly discussed options including raising fuel prices, restricting non-essential imports such as gold and consumer electronics, and tightening foreign exchange regulations. The discussions come as the rupee fell to a record low against the US dollar, driven by surging energy import costs and supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also urged citizens to conserve fuel, reduce gold purchases, and limit overseas travel as part of broader efforts to preserve foreign currency reserves.
The Reserve Bank of India has already intervened aggressively in currency markets, with forex reserves declining to $690.7 billion as of May 1. Additional proposals under consideration include stricter currency hedging rules for importers and faster repatriation of export earnings. Economists believe the government may now be more willing to implement austerity-style measures following recent electoral victories that strengthened political control across Indian states. For non-Indian companies, the developments signal the possibility of tighter import conditions, higher operational costs, currency volatility, and regulatory changes affecting trade, electronics imports, and cross-border financial transactions in one of Asia’s largest markets.
Editor’s Note: India is weighing emergency steps to protect its forex reserves as surging oil prices and Iran war disruptions push the rupee to record lows. Measures under discussion include fuel price hikes, import restrictions, and tighter currency rules, signaling possible austerity-style policies that could raise costs and volatility for global firms operating in India.
Indian Investors Increasingly Turn to Global Markets Amid Weak Domestic Returns
Indian investors are increasingly shifting their focus toward overseas markets as weaker domestic equity performance, foreign fund outflows, and a depreciating rupee drive demand for global diversification. According to Reserve Bank of India data, Indians invested more than $2.2 billion in overseas equities and debt during the 11 months through February, marking a 60% increase from the previous year. At the same time, assets in international feeder funds managed by Indian firms reached a record $4 billion in March. Analysts say investors are seeking exposure to sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and data-center infrastructure, areas where India’s stock market currently has limited representation. The MSCI India Index has significantly underperformed broader emerging markets over the past year, while markets including Taiwan and South Korea have benefited from strong technology-driven rallies.
The trend is also fueling growth in platforms and financial products that provide easier access to foreign investments. Firms such as Vested Finance have reported rapid asset growth, while Indian asset managers including DSP Asset Managers and PPFAS Asset Management have introduced outbound investment funds through GIFT City. New mobile investment platforms and regulatory clarity are further lowering barriers for retail participation in global markets. Industry participants believe 2026 could mark a turning point for mainstream overseas investing among Indian households. For non-Indian companies, the shift presents opportunities for global brokerages, asset managers, fintech platforms, and international equity markets to attract a rising pool of Indian retail capital, particularly in technology-focused sectors and cross-border investment products.
Editor’s Note: Indian investors are ramping up overseas investments, with RBI data showing $2.2 billion in foreign equities and debt during the 11 months to February, a 60% jump year-on-year, and international feeder fund assets hitting $4 billion in March. The trend reflects demand for exposure to AI, semiconductors, and data centers, while new platforms and funds are making global markets more accessible, signaling 2026 as a turning point for mainstream outbound investing.
India’s Valuation Premium Persists Despite Market Weakness, Says Manishi Raychaudhuri
India’s stock market continues to remain overvalued compared to other Asian markets despite recent underperformance, according to veteran emerging markets investor Manishi Raychaudhuri. Speaking to ET Now, Raychaudhuri said the key concern weighing on Indian equities is the broad-based decline in corporate earnings estimates across sectors, which he described as the “elephant in the room.” While markets such as South Korea and Taiwan have rallied sharply over the past six months, their valuations have become relatively cheaper due to strong earnings growth, particularly in sectors linked to semiconductors and technology. In contrast, India’s consensus earnings projections for 2026 and 2027 have continued to weaken, with no major sector showing meaningful upgrades in profit expectations.
Raychaudhuri also warned that geopolitical tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz could eventually impact industrial earnings across Asia, particularly in chip manufacturing and related supply chains that rely on critical materials moving through the region. Despite concerns over India’s valuations, he maintained a constructive long-term view on sectors including private banks, industrials, defence, automobiles, and healthcare, while strongly advocating geographic diversification for Indian investors into broader Asian and emerging markets. For non-Indian companies and global investors, the analysis highlights shifting capital preferences toward North Asian markets with stronger earnings momentum, while also signaling opportunities for international financial firms, semiconductor-linked industries, and cross-border investment platforms as Indian investors increasingly look beyond domestic equities for growth and diversification.
Editor’s Note: Veteran investor Manishi Raychaudhuri warns that Indian equities remain overvalued as earnings estimates weaken across sectors, while North Asian markets like South Korea and Taiwan look cheaper thanks to strong semiconductor-driven growth. He advises geographic diversification, noting opportunities in private banks, industrials, defence, autos, and healthcare, while global investors may increasingly shift capital toward markets with stronger earnings momentum.
Indian Political Delegation Visits Taiwan to Strengthen Strategic and Economic Engagement
A cross-party delegation of Indian political leaders is visiting Taiwan from May 4 to 9 at the invitation of the Taiwanese government, reflecting growing engagement between the two sides across political, economic, educational, and cultural sectors. According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the delegation includes emerging leaders from major Indian political parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress (INC), National People’s Party (NPP), and Shiv Sena UBT. During the visit, the delegation is expected to meet Taiwanese government agencies and participate in discussions focused on democracy, human rights, trade, technology, education, and cultural cooperation. Taiwan described India as an important “like-minded and friendly country” in the Indo-Pacific and said the exchanges are intended to deepen bilateral ties and contribute to regional stability and prosperity.
Although India and Taiwan do not maintain formal diplomatic relations, both sides have steadily expanded cooperation through representative offices established in the 1990s. Bilateral trade reached approximately USD 12.5 billion in 2025, driven largely by electronics, ICT, and manufacturing sectors, while more than 300 Taiwanese companies have invested in India across industries such as electronics, petrochemicals, automotive components, and construction. Academic partnerships, semiconductor training programmes, and growing cultural exchanges have also strengthened ties under Taiwan’s broader New Southbound Policy. For non-Indian companies, the expanding India–Taiwan relationship highlights emerging opportunities in semiconductor collaboration, electronics manufacturing, supply-chain diversification, education partnerships, and Indo-Pacific investment strategies as both economies deepen commercial and technological integration.
Editor’s Note: An Indian cross-party delegation is visiting Taiwan from May 4–9 to engage on democracy, trade, technology, education, and cultural cooperation, underscoring deepening ties despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations. With bilateral trade at USD 12.5 billion and over 300 Taiwanese firms invested in India, the visit highlights growing opportunities in semiconductors, electronics manufacturing, and Indo-Pacific collaboration.
India and Vietnam Deepen Strategic Partnership, Set $25 Billion Trade Goal
India and Vietnam have agreed to strengthen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with a renewed focus on trade, technology, defence, connectivity, and regional cooperation. During high-level discussions between officials from both countries, the two sides set a target of increasing bilateral trade to USD 25 billion in the coming years, building on steadily expanding economic ties. The discussions also emphasized cooperation in sectors such as digital technology, renewable energy, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and maritime security. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region while expanding collaboration through ASEAN-linked initiatives and regional supply-chain networks.
The growing India–Vietnam partnership reflects a broader strategic alignment as both countries seek to diversify trade relationships and reduce overdependence on traditional manufacturing hubs. Vietnam has emerged as an increasingly important partner for India in electronics manufacturing and supply-chain integration, while Indian businesses continue to expand investments in sectors including energy, IT, and healthcare. The partnership also includes stronger people-to-people exchanges, educational cooperation, and enhanced business engagement mechanisms. For non-Indian companies, the deepening relationship signals expanding opportunities in Indo-Pacific manufacturing networks, cross-border logistics, digital infrastructure, defence partnerships, and alternative Asian supply chains as India and Vietnam position themselves as complementary regional growth markets.
Editor’s Note: India and Vietnam have agreed to boost their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, targeting USD 25 billion in trade and expanding cooperation in technology, defence, energy, and regional supply chains. The deepening ties highlight Vietnam’s role in electronics manufacturing and India’s growing investments across energy, IT, and healthcare, creating wider opportunities in Indo-Pacific supply-chain and digital infrastructure networks.
Tata Group and JSW Plan $1 Billion Push Into EV Battery Technology
Indian conglomerates Tata Group and JSW Group are set to invest nearly $1 billion in electric vehicle battery technology as India accelerates efforts to strengthen its clean energy and advanced manufacturing ecosystem. According to the report, the companies are exploring investments across battery cell manufacturing, battery materials, and related technologies aimed at reducing India’s dependence on imported EV components. The move comes amid rising domestic demand for electric mobility and increasing government support for local battery production through incentive schemes and industrial policies designed to build a competitive EV supply chain.
The planned investments highlight India’s growing ambitions to emerge as a major player in the global electric mobility and energy storage industry. Industry analysts view battery manufacturing as a strategic sector due to its importance in EV production, renewable energy storage, and supply-chain security. The expansion by Tata and JSW also reflects broader efforts by Indian firms to secure access to critical technologies and raw materials while positioning themselves in rapidly growing global markets. For non-Indian companies, the developments could create opportunities for partnerships in battery chemistry, critical minerals, manufacturing equipment, technology licensing, and EV supply-chain integration as India scales up domestic production capabilities and seeks international expertise in advanced energy technologies.
Editor’s Note: Tata Group and JSW Group plan to invest nearly $1 billion in EV battery technology, focusing on cell manufacturing, materials, and related innovations to reduce reliance on imports. The move underscores India’s ambition to build a competitive EV supply chain and energy storage industry, creating global opportunities in battery chemistry, critical minerals, and advanced manufacturing partnerships.