INDIA CHINA Connect

India’s digital ad market could reach USD 19–22 billion by 2030, expanding at 10–15% CAGR. Globally, digital ads will surpass USD 1.2 trillion, forming 70–75% of ad spend by 2025. The US (46%) and China (24%) dominate, while India holds ~1%. Mobile, especially in-app ads, drives growth. AI, privacy, and first-party data will shape future leaders.

A breakthrough wafer-scale 2D semiconductor growth method achieves speeds 1,000 times faster than prior techniques, solving shortages of high-performance p-type materials for advanced chips. It enables scalable monolayer integration into sub-5nm CMOS circuits, boosting transistor performance, thermal stability, and durability. Applications expand across AI chips, optoelectronics, sensors, and bioelectronics, marking a leap in semiconductor innovation.

India’s OTT market hit 1.45 billion MAUs, rising 20% in three years, driven by cheap data and smartphone growth. Users are projected to reach 885 million by FY28. YouTube dominates with 772 million, followed by JioHotstar at 390 million. Netflix leads Prime Video, while ZEE5 emphasizes premium subscriptions and profitability, signaling diverse strategies in streaming expansion.

Airtel has surpassed 650 million users, becoming the world’s second-largest telecom operator. Its India base includes 368M mobile, 13M broadband, and 15M DTH users, while its Africa arm serves 179M customers, including 52M mobile money users. Data subscribers grow at 9.7% CAGR. In February 2026, Airtel added 4.86M users, raising market share to 37.59%.

RBI blocked 61 million cyberattacks in late 2025, underscoring rising digital threats as attack attempts doubled each quarter. AI bolstered defenses with proactive detection. In February 2026, 876 million recurring mandates achieved over 99% success. Meanwhile, card tokenization powered 1.19 billion transactions worth $166.7 billion, reflecting robust growth in India’s digital payments ecosystem.

China has achieved industrial-scale production of T1200-grade ultra-high-strength carbon fiber, with a 100-ton annual output. Ten times stronger than steel yet one-quarter its weight, it is vital for aerospace, sixth-generation jets, robotics, and low-altitude aviation. This milestone complements advances in semiconductors and lithium batteries, reinforcing strategic industries and driving long-term modernization.

India’s chip market is set to double from $52B in 2024 to $103B by 2030, fueled by AI, electric mobility, and defence. Data centres will expand from 1.5 GW to 9 GW. IndiaAI Mission exceeded GPU targets, yet 90% of equipment is imported. With $50M invested in startups, design and fabless models offer immediate opportunities.

Anthropic’s new Bengaluru office marks its long-term commitment to India, led by Irina Ghose. Collaborations with major firms like Infosys highlight India’s growing AI influence across the Global South. At the India AI Impact Summit, global leaders discussed AI’s potential for healthcare and economic growth, alongside challenges such as misuse and job displacement.

India positions itself as a global AI hub by hosting the first major AI summit in the Global South. Guided by three Sutras—People, Planet, and Progress—it advances inclusive development. The initiative accelerates AI adoption across healthcare, agriculture, education, finance, and governance while promoting responsible, sustainable frameworks and fostering global collaboration, innovation, and youth and women-led participation toward measurable outcomes.