South Asia Supply Chain

South Asia Supply Chain

India Rice Freight Diverges: $376/tonne, Cotonou Delays

India's rice freight market diverged in the week ending 30 September 2026: bulk fixing softened amid West African port disruptions, while containerised shipments gained traction. Non-basmati parboiled rice (IR-64 5% PB) FOB Kakinada fell to $376/tonne — down $4/tonne week-on-week from $380/tonne. Cotonou emerged as a key operational concern, with four vessels diverted due to congestion and price disparity. Demand for containerised cargo remained strong toward Mombasa, Tamatave, and Maputo, even as container availability tightened at Indian export gateways and logistics costs squeezed margins.

2026-10-01

South Asia Supply Chain

Mehrunisha Begum wins WorldSkills silver in logistics

Indian logistics professional Mehrunisha Begum has won a Silver Medal in Logistics and Freight Forwarding at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China, held September 22-27, 2026. Begum, who holds a BBA in Logistics from Begumpet Degree College, Hyderabad, and works with Cargomen Logistics India Pvt. Ltd., was assessed on international transportation, documentation, routing, commercial decision-making and customer handling. The competition brought together around 1,400 young professionals from nearly 70 countries and regions across 64 skills. India's participation is coordinated by the National Skill Development Corporation under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

2026-09-29

South Asia Supply Chain

India, France Discuss EPR Reactor Deployment, Supply Chain Localisation

India and France discussed EPR reactor deployment, nuclear supply chain localisation, and pumped hydro storage cooperation on September 26, 2026. Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal met EDF CEO Bernard Fontana in New Delhi. Discussions covered the Draft SHANTI Rules — placed publicly by the Department of Atomic Energy — enabling private and foreign participation in nuclear power. EDF stressed that a multi-reactor programme is essential to build supplier confidence and achieve economies of scale. The NTPC-EDF joint venture on pumped hydro storage was also highlighted as a key cooperative initiative.

2026-09-27

South Asia Supply Chain

India Targets 25% Global Chip Demand by 2032, Needs $12B Equipment

India aims to meet 25% of global semiconductor demand by 2032, requiring USD 12–13 billion in capital equipment, 400+ local suppliers, and expansion of fabrication, packaging, and design capabilities. JM Financials reports ISM 1.0 approved 12 facilities, while ISM 3.0 development is already underway. Tata Electronics’ Dholera fab targets 2028 commercial operations; Micron’s Sanand plant launched in February 2026 with 2,000 employees. Applied Materials pledges USD 5 billion under India Vision 2035, and LAM Research commits INR 100 billion to silicon-component manufacturing.

2026-09-25

South Asia Supply Chain

India Launches Semicon India Programme in January 2022

India launched the Semicon India Programme in January 2022 to develop a full domestic semiconductor supply chain — spanning chip design, fabrication, assembly, testing, packaging, and module manufacturing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated SEMICON India 2026 on September 17 in New Delhi, marking the fifth edition of the event running through September 19. The government’s initiative explicitly targets vertical integration in semiconductors and aligns with Vishwakarma Jayanti, honoring India’s legacy of craftsmanship. The programme’s timeline extends through 2026, underscoring its multi-year strategic scope.

2026-09-21

South Asia Supply Chain

Applied Materials Pledges $5B for India Semiconductor R&D, Talent

Applied Materials pledged $5 billion to expand semiconductor R&D, supply chain, and talent development in India over ten years, anchored in Bengaluru. India’s semiconductor consumption is forecast to rise from $45–$50 billion in 2025 to $110 billion by 2030. The government has committed over $21 billion in incentives, approving 12 projects — yet no large-scale wafer fab has reached commercial production, including Tata Electronics’ delayed $10 billion Gujarat facility. PM Modi called India a 'trusted partner' amid global supply chain realignment.

2026-09-20

South Asia Supply Chain

Applied Materials pledges $5 billion for India chip R&D lab

Applied Materials Inc. has pledged a $5 billion investment in India over 10 years to build a semiconductor R&D lab and local supply chain. The move builds on its $400 million Bengaluru engineering hub launched in June 2023. India revenue reached ₹2,708 crore in FY25 (+12%), while global revenue hit $9.12 billion in May–July 2026 (+25% YoY). The company expects ~40% revenue growth this year amid rising AI-driven demand and over 100 new fabs planned globally. Its India entity dates to 2003.

2026-09-19

South Asia Supply Chain

Applied Materials to Invest $5 Billion in India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem

Applied Materials will invest $5 billion in India over the next decade to expand semiconductor R&D, supply-chain capacity, and talent development. The plan includes a 140-acre research park in Bengaluru, doubling its R&D workforce, scaling the India-based supply chain tenfold by 2035, and expanding operations to Chennai, Mumbai, and Gujarat. The company currently employs over 7,000 people in India and ordered India’s first 300-millimetre lab in 2024.

2026-09-18

South Asia Supply Chain

India, China to Hold More Talks Amid $56B Trade Deficit

India and China plan further talks to narrow their trade gap and resolve supply-chain concerns, according to commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal. India’s exports to China rose 39% to $9.61 billion in April–August FY27, yet the trade deficit remained around $56 billion. Engineering goods, electronics, petroleum products, and chemicals all posted double-digit export growth. Discussions followed ministerial meetings at the BRICS summit in New Delhi, where China’s Wang Wentao met India’s Piyush Goyal. Agrawal stressed the focus on structural rebalancing and trust-building across trade, connectivity, and people-to-people ties.

2026-09-16

South Asia Supply Chain

UAE-India Trade Hits $101.25B, Targets $200B by 2032

UAE-India bilateral trade reached US$101.25 billion in the 2025–2026 financial year — the second straight year above $100 billion. The two nations aim to double trade to $200 billion by 2032. The UAE-India CEPA, effective since 2022, has accelerated goods, services, and investment flows. Both countries cooperate under the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and jointly advanced initiatives like Bharat Mart and the Virtual Trade Corridor. The UAE joined BRICS in January 2024 and participates in the New Development Bank. The 18th BRICS Summit opened on 12 September 2024 in New Delhi under the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability".

2026-09-15

South Asia Supply Chain

Modi, Xi Seek Supply Chain Cooperation Amid Border Peace Talks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a bilateral meeting on September 12, 2026, during the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. Their discussion centered on trade, supply chain cooperation, and border peace — with Xi’s first India visit in seven years underscoring the significance of the engagement. Predictable market access and integrated payment systems emerged as priority economic initiatives. Experts noted persistent challenges around transparency and the unresolved border dispute. The summit also featured analysis linking US tariff policies to growing BRICS cohesion. All developments were reported by News18 with a September 12, 2026, timestamp.

2026-09-13

South Asia Supply Chain

Hyundai India Net Profit Falls 35% Amid Vessel Shortage

Hyundai Motor India’s consolidated net profit fell 35% to ₹888.62 crore for the quarter ended June 2026 amid a severe vessel shortage triggered by West Asia conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruptions. The crisis peaked in Q1 2026, affecting Ashok Leyland’s Ras Al Khaimah plant and Volvo Cars India’s global supply chain. Executives from Ashok Leyland, Volvo, and Hyundai confirmed vessel waits extended to 15–30 days. Companies now secure ships weeks ahead and align production schedules with prolonged uncertainty. The situation remains unresolved as of September 11, 2026.

2026-09-12