INDIA CHINA Connect

Urban areas are projected to generate 70% of India’s GDP in 2025–26, up from 45% in the 1990s, with the urban population set to reach 600 million by 2036. Urban local bodies have grown 8.56% since 2016. Tier-II and Tier-III cities are rising as investment hubs, backed by ₹5,000 crore allocations, led by Ahmedabad and Pune.

For the first time, three Indian Air Force instructors have been deployed to RAF Valley to train UK fast-jet pilots on Hawk T2 and Texan T1 aircraft. The two-year posting enhances structured bilateral training. With Indian instructors now present across major UK military academies, the move underscores deepening India–UK strategic defence ties and growing interoperability.

India has become the leading overseas market for Japanese firms, with client inquiries up over 50% in FY2024. Mizuho’s Avendus acquisition signals efforts to strengthen the India–Japan financial corridor, alongside multibillion-dollar investments by major Japanese banks. India’s youthful demographics, digital expansion, and low credit penetration promise long-term growth, while Japan’s saturated domestic market drives overseas diversification.

Mahashivaratri 2026 was celebrated at the 9th-century Prambanan Temple, restoring it as a vibrant center of worship. The lighting of 1,008 lamps and devotional chants symbolized unity and awakening. Sacred processions and Abhisekam rituals highlighted purification and harmony. Tradition blended with technology through performances and video mapping, reinforcing interfaith harmony and strengthening India–Indonesia cultural ties.

A proposed India–US trade deal could lift India’s annual trade surplus by $45 billion and boost exports by over $100 billion. Tariff cuts to 18% would enhance competitiveness, potentially adding 1.1% to GDP and saving $3 billion in forex annually. Key sectors include machinery, pharma, textiles, autos, gems, seafood, and agriculture, while reinforcing China+1 manufacturing diversification strategies.

India is emerging as a leading global AI player ahead of the AI Impact Summit, driven by deep tech talent, national strategy, and supportive policies. The IndiaAI Mission seeks to expand computing capacity, boost startups, and advance multilingual AI. With 100 million weekly OpenAI users and strong student engagement, India emphasizes access, adoption, and agency for inclusive, democratic AI growth.

Urban Indian households are adopting AI-powered cooking systems to manage time pressures and inconsistent domestic help. Priced between ₹25,000 and over ₹1.5 lakh, these devices signal early premiumisation. Brands promote automated, home-style meals with minimal oversight. While adoption is growing, the appliances mainly supplement traditional kitchens. Chefs remain skeptical, arguing machines cannot recreate the emotion, memory, and cultural identity embedded in cooking.

China’s rapid AI progress challenges assumptions of U.S. tech dominance. Beijing is pouring billions into development, including an $8.69 billion national fund and a sweeping “AI+” integration strategy. Firms like Huawei and advances in domestic chips are closing gaps with Nvidia. A growing China-centered tech sphere may spread across developing markets, while U.S. AI spending raises sustainability and return concerns.