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Geopolitical developments, tariffs and a China +1 strategy already lead to supply chain adjustments that have also favoured India. With India becoming the 3rd largest economy globally soon and the world’s most valuable company shifting gears, European businesses should be aware that India could become a broad-based technology and manufacturing hub faster than anticipated.

China is the manufacturing center of the world and continues to be the undisputed leader in industrial robot installations. But while India is still far from China’s level of installations (8,500 vs. 276,000), India is making good progress as reported by the International Federation of Robotics:

Apple's reported plans could dramatically accelerate this trajectory. According to Reuters and the Financial Times, the tech giant is in urgent talks with key suppliers Foxconn and Tata to fully cover iPhone production for the US market from India by 2026, driven by rising US-China tensions. While MacBooks and iPads are not yet part of this transition (The Times of India), the iPhone shift alone represents a massive manufacturing realignment:

Such a shift not only requires a large manufacturing capacity and workforce, but could transform India’s technology ecosystem. Apple’s network of suppliers, vendors and direct employees in India alone was already expected to reach 600,000 jobs in 2025 before these latest developments. While this remains below the 4 million jobs Apple has created in China (Business Standard, 2024), growth rates could accelerate substantially. As reported in the last issue, Foxconn is already planning to acquire land in Noida for its first production site in Northern India and 4th site in the country.

For European companies, India's accelerating industrial ecosystem presents significant opportunities across supply chains, technology partnerships, and market access. Some businesses, such as KUKA, are taking notice of this shifting landscape. The German manufacturer for industrial robots and factory automation systems just announced the inauguration of a new office in Bengaluru and a Robotics Centre of Excellence at PES University, while many other European businesses show increasing interest in India (see past issues).

Sources: Visual Capitalist, Artificial Intelligence Index Report 2025, International Federation of Robotics, Reuters, Financial Times, Time of India, Business Standard

India is not only SAP’s fastest growing market, but key enabler of its growing AI capabilities. As reported by The Economic Times via MSN, the German software company plans to deploy 400 AI use cases by year-end, with a substantial portion of it being developed by SAP Labs India.

This strategic focus highlights the evolving role of Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in India, which have transformed from cost-saving outposts to drivers of global innovation. Consulting firm Zinnov notes this evolution reflects India's exceptional talent pool, scale advantages, and unique opportunities. Manish Prasad, President and Managing Director of SAP India, specifically cited these factors in The Economic Times article when explaining SAP Labs India's central role in the company's AI development initiatives.

SAP's commitment to India is backed by substantial investments. SAP Labs India already employs over 15,000 people, the highest concentration of engineers for the company worldwide. In November 2024, SAP’s CEO Christian Klein confirmed the company’s plans for India:

A second office with capacity for additional 15,000 employees is already under development in Bengaluru and once completed, would make Bengaluru SAP’s largest site globally. SAP's strategic focus on India provides a clear validation of the country's growing significance in the global technology landscape, a trend that other European multinationals from Airbus to BMW, Infineon, Lufthansa and many others are increasingly following.

Sources: The Economic Times via MSN, Zinnov, Reuters

The European aerospace and defence company’s innovation center in India turned 2.

Congratulations team Airbus and read the announcement here.

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