Author: News Desk

Hyundai Motor India has inaugurated its new AI-enabled manufacturing plant in Talegaon, Pune, marking a major expansion of its manufacturing operations in the country. The facility was inaugurated on October 14, 2026, as the automaker marked 30 years of operations in India. The company plans to invest ₹11,000 crore at the plant in phases to expand production capacity and strengthen its manufacturing capabilities. AI-Powered Smart Manufacturing The Talegaon facility is designed as an advanced Industry 4.0 plant, integrating artificial intelligence, digital manufacturing systems and automated quality checks. It uses AI-driven analytics, predictive maintenance, digital simulations and augmented reality-based training to…

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit India from October 18, with energy cooperation and investment expected to feature prominently in discussions with Indian officials and business leaders. The visit comes at a time when India and the United States are working to strengthen economic ties while negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement remain unresolved. Rubio’s India itinerary includes Mumbai and Jamnagar in Gujarat, home to Reliance Industries’ major oil refining complex. His visit is part of a wider trip from October 17 to 22 that also includes Samarkand in Uzbekistan. According to the US State Department,…

Cisco plans to expand its silicon design team in India as the technology company looks to strengthen its presence in one of its key growth markets. Cisco Chairman and CEO Chuck Robbins said India offers significant opportunities because of its talent pool, engineering capabilities, manufacturing capacity and economic growth. Robbins said Cisco already has silicon design resources in the United States and Israel, while its team in India remains relatively small. The company sees considerable scope to expand its Indian team by identifying and hiring skilled professionals. The expansion comes as India steps up efforts to strengthen its semiconductor ecosystem.…

Narayana Murthy’s family office, Catamaran Ventures, plans to double its exposure to India over the next five years, with a focus on opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI), data centres and precision manufacturing. The strategy aims to invest in businesses that can build specialised capabilities and serve global customers. Deepak Padaki, president of Catamaran Ventures LLP, said the firm is targeting annual returns of 16% to 18%. Its investment approach covers both listed and privately held companies, with an emphasis on sectors where Indian businesses can expand into higher-value markets. Catamaran manages around $1.4 billion for Infosys founder Narayana Murthy. Its…

India has overtaken South Korea to become Hyundai Motor Company’s second-largest market globally, behind North America, highlighting the growing importance of the Indian automobile market to the South Korean automaker. The shift follows stronger vehicle sales in India and a decline in its home market during the first half of 2026. India Sales Surpass South Korea Between January and June 2026, Hyundai sold nearly 306,000 passenger vehicles in India, marking a 7% year-on-year increase. In comparison, sales in South Korea fell 11% to 263,722 vehicles. North America remained Hyundai’s largest market, with sales exceeding 580,000 units during the same period. …

Jio Platforms Ltd, the digital services subsidiary of Reliance Industries, is preparing to launch what could become India’s largest-ever initial public offering (IPO). The issue will open for public subscription on October 21 and close on October 23, 2026, with the company aiming to raise up to ₹30,213 crore at the upper end of its price band. The company has fixed the price band at ₹1,065 to ₹1,119 per share. The IPO will comprise a fresh issue of up to 27 crore equity shares with a face value of ₹10 each. If fully subscribed at the upper price, the offering…

Tejas Parthasarathi Sudarshan, founder of Chennai-based applied artificial intelligence startup Winsen Labs, had around 90 seconds to present two AI-driven ideas to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a Chennai Metro journey on October 11, 2026. His proposals focused on improving practical AI education and simplifying access to government services. Sudarshan was among 17 startup founders selected for an interaction with the Prime Minister during his visit to Chennai. The opportunity came as Modi travelled on the Metro alongside Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. Sudarshan later shared details of the encounter in a LinkedIn post. Two AI Ideas for…

SpaceX has imposed restrictions on some Starlink satellite internet services in Ukraine, disrupting military drone operations that rely on the network for communications and control. Ukrainian officials said the changes affected combat missions, with some operations cancelled following unexpected connectivity interruptions. According to Ukrainian presidential adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov, the military was not warned in advance about the restrictions. He said SpaceX had limited the operation of its military-grade Starlink service on drones travelling above 160 kilometres per hour. Connectivity Issues Affect Drone Missions Ukraine’s 7th Rapid Reaction Corps reported that Starlink connections could drop for 10 to 20 seconds when…

India’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology is set to examine satellite internet services amid the ongoing debate over Elon Musk-owned Starlink’s proposed entry into the country. Committee chairman and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said the panel would discuss the issue at an upcoming meeting, following its decision to select satellite internet for detailed examination. The move comes amid a public dispute involving Musk, Indian political figures and business leaders over the regulatory process for Starlink’s launch in India. Musk has alleged that powerful business interests are attempting to restrict competition, while the government has rejected claims that…

India and the United Arab Emirates have discussed ways to strengthen their strategic partnership, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar meeting UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on October 14, 2026. The two leaders reviewed progress under the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Their discussions focused on expanding cooperation across economic, trade and investment sectors, while exploring opportunities that support the development priorities of both countries. Focus on Trade and Investment The meeting highlighted the continued development of economic ties between India and the UAE. Both sides…