L&T Semiconductor and Taiwan’s HYS Partner to Co-Develop High-Voltage Wafers for EV and Industrial Applications
India’s L&T Semiconductor Technologies Ltd (LTSCT) has partnered with Hon Young Semiconductor (HYS), a subsidiary of Taiwan’s Hon Hai (Foxconn) Technology Group, to jointly develop and manufacture high-voltage semiconductor wafers ranging from 650V to 3300V. Under the agreement, LTSCT will utilize HYS’s advanced facilities in Taiwan to engineer and produce silicon carbide (SiC) and silicon (Si) wafers tailored for automotive and industrial applications. The collaboration integrates HYS’s wafer fabrication expertise with LTSCT’s system-level knowledge and domain experience in power solutions, aiming to meet the stringent quality and regulatory demands of electric vehicles and industrial automation systems.
This partnership signifies growing India–Taiwan cooperation in the semiconductor supply chain, aligning with India’s push for local capability in chip design and power electronics manufacturing. For non-Indian companies, particularly component makers and OEMs, the deal highlights India’s emerging role as a strategic partner in the global EV and industrial power ecosystem—offering opportunities for joint ventures, technology localization, and value-chain integration through partnerships with Indian and Taiwanese entities positioned at the intersection of design, fabrication, and systems integration.
https://evertiq.com/design/2025-10-27-ltsct-teams-up-with-hys-to-develop-650v-to-3300v-wafers
Editor’s Note: India’s L&T Semiconductor Technologies Ltd has partnered with Taiwan’s Hon Young Semiconductor (a Foxconn subsidiary) to co-develop high-voltage silicon carbide and silicon wafers (650V–3300V) for EV and industrial applications, leveraging HYS’s fabrication expertise and LTSCT’s system-level power solutions. This collaboration reflects deepening India–Taiwan semiconductor ties and positions India as a strategic hub for global EV and industrial power partnerships, technology localization, and value-chain integration.
AI-Driven Cybercrime Surges in India, CrowdStrike Warns of Rising Ransomware Threats
A new CrowdStrike Asia Pacific eCrime report has warned that AI-powered cybercriminals are exploiting India’s weak corporate cybersecurity defences, posing a serious risk to the nation’s $5 trillion economic ambitions. The report found that while the Asia-Pacific region accounts for more than half the global population, it still represents only 9% of ransomware victims worldwide—though this gap is rapidly closing, with India now leading regional victim counts. Ransomware groups such as FunkLocker and KillSec disproportionately targeted Indian entities, accounting for 21% and 33% of their respective global victims. CrowdStrike noted 763 ransomware victims across Asia-Pacific between January 2024 and April 2025, with financial services, technology, and manufacturing sectors most heavily attacked.
For non-Indian companies, especially those with supply chains, data operations, or service centres in India, the findings underscore a growing third-party cybersecurity risk. As threat actors adopt AI-driven, enterprise-style attack models, global firms relying on Indian partners must tighten vendor security standards, adopt continuous monitoring, and conduct joint cyber resilience audits to prevent cascading risks across interconnected digital ecosystems.
Editor’s Note: AI-powered cybercriminals are increasingly targeting Indian companies, with ransomware groups like FunkLocker and KillSec driving a surge in attacks across financial, tech, and manufacturing sectors—posing a threat to India’s $5 trillion economic ambitions. CrowdStrike warns that global firms with operations in India face rising third-party cybersecurity risks and must strengthen vendor security, monitoring, and joint resilience audits to mitigate cascading threats.
Foxconn’s Hyderabad Unit Doubles AirPods Output, Expands Workforce Amid $550-Million India Push
Foxconn Interconnect Technology (FIT), the Hyderabad arm of Taiwan’s electronics giant Foxconn, is rapidly scaling up production and hiring to meet soaring global demand for Apple AirPods, according to The Economic Times. The Kongara Kalan plant, which began commercial production in April 2024, plans to boost monthly output from over 100,000 to 200,000 units within eight months by upgrading five existing lines and adding up to two new ones. Machinery is being transferred from Foxconn’s Vietnam facilities, while the workforce will rise from 2,000 to 5,000 employees. The expansion is part of a $550-million investment plan under Chang Yi Interconnect Technology (India) Pvt. Ltd., aimed at creating 24,000 jobs and deepening Apple accessory manufacturing in India.
For non-Indian companies, this development highlights India’s growing role as a critical node in Apple’s and Foxconn’s global supply diversification strategy. The ramp-up in Hyderabad signals opportunities for component suppliers, logistics providers, and tooling firms to integrate into the expanding Indian electronics value chain. It also demonstrates India’s rising capability to absorb high-volume, precision electronics manufacturing, making it a strategic destination for firms seeking China+1 production resilience and proximity to emerging markets.
Editor’s Note: Foxconn’s Hyderabad unit is doubling AirPods production to 200,000 units per month and expanding its workforce from 2,000 to 5,000 as part of a $550-million investment to deepen Apple accessory manufacturing in India. This scale-up positions India as a key player in global supply diversification, offering opportunities for component makers and logistics firms seeking China+1 resilience and access to emerging markets.
India Drafts First Deepfake Regulation Under IT Rules, Targets AI-Generated Misinformation
The Indian government has proposed the country’s first regulatory framework for synthetic media through a draft amendment to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, released by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on 22 October 2025. The amendment seeks to define and regulate “synthetically generated information” — including AI-created videos, images, and audio that mimic real content — to curb the rise of deepfakes and misinformation. Platforms hosting or enabling AI-based content will be required to implement labelling systems and metadata identifiers, ensuring that manipulated media is clearly marked. The draft also mandates significant social media intermediaries to verify and label synthetic content, signalling India’s intent to strengthen transparency and accountability within its digital ecosystem.
For non-Indian companies, the amendment holds major compliance implications. Global tech platforms, AI developers, and content-hosting intermediaries operating in India will need to adapt to the country’s labelling, traceability, and due-diligence requirements—potentially overhauling moderation systems and content pipelines. The move reflects India’s integrated approach to AI governance, embedding synthetic media rules within its broader IT regulatory framework. If implemented effectively, it could position India as a regulatory reference point for emerging economies navigating the ethical challenges of generative AI and cross-border misinformation.
Editor’s Note: India has proposed its first deepfake regulation under the IT Rules, mandating platforms to label and verify AI-generated synthetic media to combat misinformation and enhance digital transparency. The draft poses significant compliance demands for global tech firms operating in India, potentially positioning the country as a regulatory model for managing generative AI and cross-border content risks.
India–US Trade Talks Gain Momentum; Bilateral Deal Expected by Late 2025
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced that discussions on the proposed India–US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) are progressing steadily, with both sides aiming to finalise the first phase by October–November 2025. Goyal confirmed that senior officials, including the Commerce Secretary, have held multiple rounds of talks with their American counterparts, focusing on achieving a “fair and equitable” framework. The negotiations follow US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Indian imports linked to New Delhi’s continued oil purchases from Russia. Goyal expressed confidence that the dialogue, already through five rounds, is advancing toward a balanced and mutually beneficial outcome.
For non-Indian companies, particularly those in manufacturing, technology, and energy sectors, the BTA carries significant implications. A successful agreement could streamline tariff structures, expand market access, and boost cross-border investments between two of the world’s largest democracies. Global firms with supply chains straddling India and the US may benefit from improved trade facilitation, reduced regulatory uncertainty, and enhanced cooperation in areas such as digital trade and intellectual property. The progress signals a broader trend of India deepening economic ties with Western partners amid evolving global trade realignments.
Editor’s Note: India–US trade talks are advancing toward a Bilateral Trade Agreement by late 2025, with both sides aiming for a fair and equitable framework following multiple negotiation rounds. The deal could streamline tariffs, expand market access, and enhance cross-border investments, offering global firms greater trade facilitation and regulatory clarity amid shifting global trade dynamics.
Chinese Smartphone Manufacturers Deepen India Footprint Despite Thin Margins
Chinese smartphone contract manufacturers such as DBG and BYD are expanding operations in India as bilateral trade sentiment improves, even though profit margins remain lower than those of domestic producers. Industry executives told The Economic Times that the renewed push comes amid rising production orders from Chinese smartphone brands like Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo — most of which work through original design manufacturers (ODMs) such as Huaqin and Longcheer. Data from Volza shows DBG’s share in India’s smartphone contract manufacturing market has climbed from 13% in the first quarter of 2025 to 21% by the end of September, while BYD maintains a steady 7% but has taken on more production for top brands. DBG operates a plant in Haryana, and BYD runs a manufacturing facility in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.
For non-Indian companies, the resurgence of Chinese contract manufacturers signals India’s continuing role as a key global smartphone manufacturing hub, even amid geopolitical and cost pressures. The trend highlights India’s strategic importance in diversifying electronics supply chains away from China while still accommodating Chinese manufacturing expertise. Foreign brands and component suppliers could find new partnership and sourcing opportunities as India cements its position in the global electronics manufacturing ecosystem.
Editor’s Note: Chinese smartphone manufacturers like DBG and BYD are expanding production in India, driven by rising orders from brands such as Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo, despite thinner margins than local players. This trend reinforces India’s role as a global smartphone manufacturing hub and opens new partnership opportunities for foreign firms seeking supply chain diversification and access to Chinese manufacturing expertise.