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Kerala, in collaboration with the European Union, will host the "Blue Tides – Two Shores, One Vision" conclave at The Leela Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram. Organized by the State Fisheries Department, the two-day event aims to establish Kerala as a global blue economy hub by promoting sustainable ocean-based industries. Discussions will cover fisheries, aquaculture, marine logistics, coastal tourism, renewable marine energy, and green technologies, leveraging Kerala’s maritime strengths and EU’s expertise.Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian highlighted the conclave as a first-of-its-kind initiative in India to drive sustainable development, benefiting coastal communities and ecosystems. Key goals include modernizing fisheries, advancing aquaculture, fostering skill development, and attracting investments. The event will feature plenary sessions, thematic discussions on global fisheries challenges, and networking opportunities, emphasizing academic collaboration, joint R&D, and startup innovation. Kerala’s maritime heritage will be showcased to draw European investment.EU Ambassador Hervé Delphin and representatives from 20 European nations, including France, Italy, and Spain, will participate. Inspired by Minister Cherian’s recent visit to France for the Third United Nations Ocean Conference, plans are underway for a sailing school with Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and a boat show to highlight Kerala’s maritime potential.Explain blue economySustainable tourism initiatives

European Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic is set to visit New Delhi from September 11, 2025, to advance negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal described as making "rapid progress." The announcement follows a joint call on September 4, 2025, between Prime Minister Narendra Modi, European Council President Antonio Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who discussed hosting the next India-EU Summit in early 2026. The FTA talks, spanning 23 policy areas including trade, investment, and intellectual property, aim for a potential year-end conclusion. An early harvest agreement is under consideration to address key issues like tariffs and market access. In FY 2023-24, EU-India bilateral goods trade reached $137.41 billion, with the EU as India’s largest trading partner. Sefcovic’s visit underscores the commitment to deepen economic ties and enhance supply chain resilience amidst global trade dynamics.

OpenAI announced the acquisition of Statsig, a Seattle-based product testing startup, in an all-stock deal valued at $1.1 billion. Statsig, founded by Vijaye Raji, specializes in A/B testing, feature flagging, and real-time decision-making tools, already used by OpenAI and other tech firms like Eventbrite and SoundCloud. The acquisition aims to enhance OpenAI’s product development and experimentation capabilities for its AI applications, including ChatGPT and Codex.Vijaye Raji, an Indian-origin engineer from Puducherry with over 20 years of experience, including a decade at Microsoft and Meta, has been appointed as OpenAI’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Applications. Reporting to Fidji Simo, CEO of Applications, Raji will lead product engineering for ChatGPT and Codex, focusing on scaling infrastructure and ensuring safe, intuitive AI tools. Statsig will continue to operate independently from its Seattle office, serving its existing customers, while its employees join OpenAI. The deal, subject to regulatory approval, follows OpenAI’s $6.5 billion acquisition of Jony Ive’s io Products, signaling a strategic push to strengthen its consumer and enterprise AI offerings.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a joint telephone call with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to strengthen India-EU ties. The leaders discussed organizing the next India-EU Summit in India in early 2026, with PM Modi extending invitations to both leaders. Building on the EU College of Commissioners’ visit to India in February 2025, they reviewed progress in trade, technology, investment, innovation, sustainability, defense, security, and supply chain resilience. They reaffirmed their commitment to concluding the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations by year-end and advancing the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC). The conversation also covered global issues, including the Ukraine conflict, with Modi reiterating India’s support for a peaceful resolution. The leaders emphasized the India-EU Strategic Partnership’s role in fostering stability and a rules-based order for mutual prosperity

Naspers and Prosus announced the Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge, an initiative to support women-led tech and tech-enabled startups across Africa. The program offers $100,000 in equity-free grants to three outstanding women founders to fuel business growth. Additionally, participants gain access to senior mentors from the Naspers-Prosus ecosystem, curated networking opportunities, and expert feedback from a panel of executives, investors, and entrepreneurs. Six finalists will be selected to pitch their ventures, fostering innovation and economic impact through female leadership in Africa's tech sector.

Looking for game-changers from India and Europe tackling marine plastic pollution 🌊The #IndiaEUIdeathon brings together startups, researchers, businesses, and sustainability enthusiasts from both regions to co-create solutions that can track, remove, and prevent marine plastic pollution.How it works?1⃣Submit your idea2⃣Join a team3⃣Develop your solution4⃣Pitch your project5⃣Win & scale your impact🏆 The winning India-EU teams will receive expert support, advisory services and rewards to bring their ideas to life.Discover more: https://urlr.me/nGXh8R

Apple is expanding its iPhone manufacturing in India, with all four models of the upcoming iPhone 17 series being assembled there ahead of the device’s anticipated September launch. This marks the first time the full lineup, including the Pro models, will be produced in India from day one.https://app.startupeuropeindia.net/blogs/india/apple-to-manufacture-all-four-iphone-17-models-in-india-making-india-second-largest-hub-after-china

Monzo, the UK’s online-only digital bank, is planning its debut in the telecoms space by launching a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) service. The initiative is currently in its early stages and would offer customers digital SIM cards and mobile contracts.By stepping into the mobile sector, Monzo aims to boost its revenue streams and enhance customer experience—offering a more user-friendly alternative to traditional providers such as Vodafone–Three and EE. The move mirrors similar efforts by fintech rivals like Revolut and Klarna, reflecting a broader trend of financial firms expanding into telecom services.This mobile venture also serves as a strategic opportunity to elevate Monzo’s valuation ahead of a potential IPO. The bank, which holds a full UK banking licence and serves over 13 million customers, was last valued at £4.5 billion in late 2024.

India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced the signing of the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), a landmark deal set to deepen bilateral trade and investment relations. https://www.startupeuropeindia.net/news/uk-india/india-and-the-uk-strengthen-economic-ties-with-comprehensive-economic-and-trade-agreement-ceta

Rolls-Royce's plan to power artificial intelligence (AI) with its nuclear reactors could make it the UK's most valuable company, its boss has said.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce8772d4jzgo?at_format=image&at_bbc_team=editorial

A recent Pew Research Center survey conducted from January to April 2025 across 24 countries found that global views of India are slightly more positive than negative. The median favorability is 47%, with 38% holding an unfavorable view and 13% offering no opinion.Key findings:Most favorable views: Kenya, the United Kingdom, and Israel, where six-in-ten or more have a positive opinion of India.Least favorable views: Turkey and Australia, where over half express negative views.Divided or neutral: In countries like the U.S. and South Korea, opinions are roughly split.Recent shifts: Favorability has increased notably in South Africa, France, and Germany, but declined in South Korea and Israel.Demographic differences: In about half the countries, men are more favorable toward India than women. Younger adults in some countries (like the UK and Japan) are more positive, while in the U.S. and Australia, older adults hold more favorable views. Political ideology also plays a role, with patterns varying by country.The survey included nearly 25,000 adults, using a mix of phone, face-to-face, and online methods, and was conducted prior to several major events affecting India’s international relations.https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/08/13/how-people-in-24-countries-view-india/

In a recent piece for the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore, Anirudh Suri explores how the India–France technology partnership is evolving into a strategic force in the global technology order.Suri highlights how shifting geopolitical realities—Europe’s push for strategic autonomy, recalibrated ties with the US, and growing caution toward China—have positioned India as a natural partner for France. France brings advanced manufacturing and defence capabilities, while India offers a deep technology talent pool and a thriving startup ecosystem.The partnership’s priorities, according to Suri, span sovereign technology infrastructure, collaborative AI development, next-generation defence technologies, and stronger innovation ecosystems. He sees this as more than just bilateral cooperation—it’s a blueprint for a multipolar, inclusive, and resilient tech future, leveraging the strengths of both nations to shape a balanced global technology landscape.read more: https://www.isas.nus.edu.sg/papers/india-france-technology-partnership-reshaping-the-global-technology-order/

Chennai-based space startup Agnikul Cosmos has developed the world’s largest single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine, made from Inconel, a high-performance superalloy known for its strength and heat resistance. This meter-long engine, printed as a single component without welds, joints, or fasteners, marks a significant advancement in additive manufacturing for aerospace. The innovative design reduces production time and complexity, enhancing efficiency. Agnikul has also secured a U.S. patent for its design and manufacturing process, granting exclusive rights in a competitive market and highlighting the originality of their technology. This milestone strengthens India’s position in global space technology, supported by collaborations with ISRO, IN-SPACe, and industry partners like Wipro 3D, alongside government backing from the Department of Science and Technology and the Technology Development Board.

#India Apple to Announce Another $100 Billion Investment in American Manufacturing https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-06/trump-apple-to-announce-fresh-100-billion-in-us-manufacturing

NISAR operates on two radar frequencies: L-band and S-band. The L-band is suited for monitoring taller vegetation like trees, while the S-band provides precise readings of shorter plants, such as bushes. This dual-frequency system allows the satellite to track changes in forests, glaciers, sea ice, and critical infrastructure, including dams and bridges. It can also identify areas prone to seismic activity, offering insights into fault lines and volcanic regions https://www.startupeuropeindia.net/news/deep-tech/us-indias-game-changing-satellite-launch-unlocking-earths-hidden-secrets

Temasek acquired the 35 percent stake in SEIPL for 530 million euros in 2020, when Schneider Electric merged its Indian low-voltage and industrial automation product unit with the electrical and automation operations of Larsen & Toubro Ltd. The joint venture, established in 2018, has since grown into Schneider’s third-largest market by revenue, generating 1.8 billion euros in statutory revenue in 2024, with total India sales, including exports, reaching 2.5 billion euros across Schneider’s subsidiaries.https://www.startupeuropeindia.net/news/equity/temasek-nets-10-fold-gain-with-s82-billion-stake-sale-in-schneider-electric-india

India has overtaken China to become the leading exporter of smartphones to the United States in the second quarter of 2025, marking a historic shift in global manufacturing. The surge is primarily driven by Apple Inc.’s rapid pivot to Indian production amid escalating U.S.-China trade tensions. This development highlights a broader realignment in global supply chains, with India emerging as a key hub for high-tech manufacturing.In Q2 2025, India-made smartphones accounted for 44% of U.S. smartphone imports, up from 13% a year earlier, with total export volume soaring by 240% year-over-year. China’s share, meanwhile, dropped from 61% to 25%, falling behind Vietnam, which has also gained from the supply chain shift.Apple’s “China Plus One” strategy, aimed at diversifying manufacturing away from China to reduce risks from U.S. tariffs and geopolitical uncertainties, is the primary force behind this change. India has become the largest supplier of base iPhone models to the U.S. market, with Apple assembling $22 billion worth of iPhones in India in the 12 months ending March 2025, a 60% increase from the prior year. Foxconn Technology Group’s facilities lead this effort, while Tata Group’s electronics arm, having acquired Wistron Corp and overseeing Pegatron Corp’s operations, plays a growing role.Despite this shift, Apple still relies on China for its more complex Pro models. Other manufacturers, like Samsung and Motorola, have also increased their Indian-made handset exports, though their scale is smaller compared to Apple’s.U.S. trade policies, including tariffs on foreign goods to boost domestic manufacturing, have accelerated this trend. While smartphones are exempt from the heaviest tariffs, they face a minimum 20% levy. Apple’s CEO Tim Cook has signaled a long-term commitment, stating that the majority of iPhones sold in the U.S. will soon originate from India.India’s rise aligns with its ambition to become a global electronics hub, bolstered by incentives and infrastructure improvements. Cities like Noida, near Delhi, are now centers for smartphone and component production. However, challenges persist. U.S. smartphone shipments grew by only 1% in Q2 2025 due to inventory stockpiling amid tariff concerns. iPhone shipments fell 11% to 13.3 million units, while Samsung’s rose 38% to 8.3 million units, and Motorola’s grew 2% to 3.2 million units. Google and TCL followed, with Google up 13% to 0.8 million units and TCL down 23% to 0.7 million units.China’s declining share reflects broader trade dynamics, with ongoing U.S.-China negotiations aiming to extend a temporary trade truce before an August 12 deadline. China’s economy, growing 5.2% in Q2 2025, is diversifying to non-U.S. markets, but its grip on smartphone manufacturing is loosening.India’s emergence as the top smartphone exporter to the U.S. signals a pivotal moment for global tech manufacturing. With Apple and others expanding operations, India is poised to strengthen its role as a high-tech hub, though sustained investment and infrastructure development will be critical to maintaining this momentum.

India, a big buyer of Chinese solar panels and electric vehicle batteries, is using a raft of government incentives to make more green gear at home. It is driven not just by the need to satisfy the galloping energy demands of its 1.4 billion people, but also to cash in on other countries that want to China-proof their energy supply chains, not least the United States.https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/climate/india-china-solar-manufacturing.html

Hampered by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) project is gaining momentum with the return of US President Donald Trump to office and the trade war between Washington and Beijing.https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/05/05/new-india-to-europe-spice-route-gains-traction-amid-global-tensions

Market analyst Gary Shilling says the U.S. trade war with China is pushing him to look more closely at investments in India.https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/05/trumps-china-tariffs-could-help-india-market-analyst-gary-shilling.html

Tamil Nadu has made a decisive move in India’s race to become a global electronics manufacturing hub, launching a first-of-its-kind Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) aimed at drawing Rs 30,000 crore ($3.6 billion) in investments and creating 60,000 jobs over the next five years. https://app.startupeuropeindia.net/blogs/technology/tamil-nadu-rolls-out-pioneering-electronics-manufacturing-scheme-targets-36-billion-investment-surge

At the heart of the treaty is the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism. ISDS allows corporations to take legal action against governments if they feel domestic policy changes have negatively impacted their business interestshttps://app.startupeuropeindia.net/blogs/asset-management/uk-india-investment-treaty-to-include-landmark-clause-allowing-companies-to-sue-governments

With a workforce of over 5 million tech professionals and a burgeoning startup ecosystem, the country is rapidly adapting to the AI era, balancing challenges with immense opportunities. https://app.startupeuropeindia.net/blogs/artificial-intelligence/indias-tech-talent-embraces-the-ai-revolution

Databricks, the San Francisco-based data and AI powerhouse, has announced a bold new investment of more than $250 million in India over the next three years. This move signals the company’s deepening commitment to India’s rapidly growing AI ecosystem and its recognition of the country as a global hub for technology talent and innovation.Expanding Workforce and R&D in BengaluruDatabricks plans to ramp up its Indian workforce by over 50%, aiming to surpass 750 employees by the end of this fiscal year. A significant portion of this hiring will focus on research and development (R&D), with more than 100 new R&D engineers set to join the company’s newly opened Bengaluru research center. This expansion will double the R&D team in India, which already plays a central role in developing new AI capabilities, infrastructure, and large language models for Databricks’ global platform.The new 105,000-square-foot Bengaluru office is designed to foster innovation and collaboration, positioning the city as a core engine for Databricks’ global R&D network, which also includes sites in Amsterdam, Belgrade, Berlin, San Francisco, Mountain View, and Seattle.India Data + AI Academy: Training Half a MillionOne of the most ambitious aspects of Databricks’ India strategy is the launch of the India Data + AI Academy. This initiative aims to train 500,000 partners, customers, and professionals across India over the next three years in advanced data science, machine learning, and analytics. The academy offers personalized learning paths and AI-powered skilling programs, empowering participants to earn Databricks certifications and accreditations.Rochana Golani, Databricks’ Vice President of Learning & Enablement, emphasized that this academy will help shape the workforce of tomorrow and strengthen India’s leadership in data and AI expertise.India has become a strategic center for global technology companies, thanks to its vast pool of digital talent, thriving startup scene, and growing enterprise demand for AI solutions. Databricks’ investment underlines this shift, with the company already serving major Indian enterprises such as HDFC Bank, Zepto, Swiggy, TVS Motors, and Freshworks.Ed Lenta, Databricks’ Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific and Japan, highlighted that India is a key growth market for the company, and the new investment will enable Indian businesses to drive innovation and transformation using Databricks’ Data Intelligence Platform.Actionable Advice for Indian Tech ProfessionalsIf you’re a data scientist, engineer, or AI enthusiast, keep an eye on Databricks’ career portal for new job openings, especially in Bengaluru.Consider enrolling in the India Data + AI Academy to upskill in data analytics and AI, which could open doors to new opportunities in the fast-growing AI sector.Companies looking to modernize their data infrastructure or leverage AI should explore partnerships with Databricks, as the company is investing heavily in local support and innovation.With this investment, Databricks is not just growing its own footprint but is also helping to build a robust AI talent pipeline in India. Imagine a young engineer in Bengaluru, who, after completing a course at the Data + AI Academy, lands a job at Databricks and contributes to building the next generation of AI tools used by businesses worldwide. This is the kind of ripple effect the company hopes to create.In short, Databricks’ $250 million bet on India is set to accelerate the country’s role as a global leader in AI and data innovation, while offering new opportunities for professionals and businesses alike.Databricks Commits Over $250 Million to Supercharge AI and Data Innovation in India

The claim, filed by competition law expert Or Brook on behalf of thousands of businesses, alleges Google ensured its search engine had better functionality and more features for Google’s own advertising offering than that of its competitors.https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/16/tech/google-uk-lawsuit-abuse-online-search-intl/index.html

Google’s artificial intelligence lab, is on a mission to push the boundaries of AI, aiming for systems that rival and even surpass human intelligence. Here’s a straightforward look at the key points from Demis Hassabis and the DeepMind team’s vision for the future, especially in tackling disease and transforming everyday life.https://app.startupeuropeindia.net/blogs/artificial-intelligence/whats-next-for-ai-at-deepmind-revolutionizing-health-science-and-society

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za-Mr-WVL_E

Its tariffs are high and the share of global exports remains under 2%. India's vast domestic market has fuelled its growth - outpacing many others, economists argue, largely because the rest of the world is slowing. But in a turbulent, increasingly protectionist era, India's instinct for self-reliance may oddly serve as a short-term shield.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgrg2lq0gweo

Tamil Nadu has emerged as India’s fastest-growing state, achieving an impressive real growth rate of 9.69% in 2024-25. With a GDP of ₹17.23 lakh crore, the state has set a benchmark for economic development, driven by its robust manufacturing sectorhttps://app.startupeuropeindia.net/blogs/india/tamil-nadu-state-emerges-as-india-fastest-growing-state-with-969-real-growth

Elon Musk's Starlink, the satellite internet service from SpaceX, is making significant strides in India, partnering with telecom giants Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. These collaborations aim to bridge the digital divide in a country where over 654 million people still lack internet access. Here's what you need to know about this transformative development.https://app.startupeuropeindia.net/blogs/technology/starlinks-entry-into-india-a-game-changer-for-connectivity