INDIA CHINA Connect

India is home to the world’s largest wild tiger population, with about 3,682 tigers—nearly three-quarters of the global total—spread across 58 reserves and a wide range of ecosystems, reflecting strong habitat protection. Long-term conservation efforts, particularly under Project Tiger, have successfully reversed earlier declines, making India a critical stronghold for tigers as top predators and a key contributor to global tiger survival and ecological balance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted overseas Indians on Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, calling the diaspora “Rashtradoots” and a strong bridge between India and the world. He praised their global contributions, cultural promotion, and continued connection to India. The day marks Mahatma Gandhi’s 1915 return and recognises the role of over 30 million Indians abroad.

India has introduced the e‑B‑4 digital business visa for Chinese nationals, effective January 1, to ease travel for manufacturing and industrial professionals. Processed online in 45–50 days, it allows six‑month stays for technical, production and training work. The move reflects warming bilateral ties and aims to reduce skill gaps and production losses after years of strained relations between the countries.

Apple’s iPhone exports from India crossed $50 billion by December 2025, driven by the government’s PLI scheme. With strong FY26 shipments, India has become a major global manufacturing hub for Apple. Smartphones are now India’s top export, and continued policy support aims to sustain growth in devices and components manufacturing.

China’s BYD has overtaken Tesla as the world’s top electric vehicle seller after a surge in 2025 sales, while Tesla’s deliveries fell for a second year. Tesla faced subsidy cuts, rising competition and investor concerns, though it remains more profitable. BYD’s growth, driven by low prices and overseas expansion, has been especially strong in the UK.

India’s carmakers ended 2025 with record exports of about 858,000 vehicles, up 15% year-on-year, driven by strong demand from Africa, South America and West Asia. Strong manufacturing capabilities and cost competitiveness boosted growth, though future momentum hinges on trade policies. Automakers aim to double export share as India expands its global automotive footprint.

Sanju Verma portrays 2025 as a transformative year for India, blending cultural resurgence with robust economic performance under PM Modi. She credits “Modinomics” for bold structural reforms, rapid GDP growth, tax and compliance simplification, MSME empowerment, poverty reduction, and global trade gains, positioning India as a resilient, fast-growing economy on track for “Viksit Bharat” by 2047.

India’s exports are expected to rise to $840–850 billion in FY26 and $950 billion in FY27, driven by FTAs, services and electronics. While textiles and manufacturing show promise, exporters face risks from US tariffs, EU climate rules and AI-led disruption. West Asia is seen as the main near-term growth driver.

India is rapidly expanding its aviation sector, adding a new airport every 50 days. Key projects include Jewar airport opening in February and Bhogapuram by June, following successful regulatory milestones. Fleet size is growing, policies now allow multiple airports per region, and international connectivity is improving under the Open Sky policy.

India’s first Bullet Train will begin operations on August 15, 2027, marking a major leap in high-speed rail. The 508-km Mumbai–Ahmedabad corridor will open in phases, connecting key cities. Backed by progress on infrastructure and confidence from Vande Bharat trains, the project promises faster, world-class inter-city travel.