Amit's Blog

India’s ASEAN Ambition: Unlocking a $80-100 Billion Trade Frontier India’s trade with ASEAN, a $3.6 trillion economic juggernaut, has surged over two decades, yet its full potential remains untapped. From $10.4 billion in 2005, India’s merchandise exports to ASEAN hit $46.5 billion in 2024, driven by chemicals, base metals, and machinery, but a $43.7 billion trade deficit persists due to $90.2 billion in imports. Service exports, led by IT, reached $11.5 billion but lag globally. High logistics costs, limited global value chain (GVC) integration, and non-tariff barriers hinder competitiveness, while service exports face regulatory constraints. Over the next 5–7 years, pharmaceuticals, electronics, base metals, halal food, and IT services could drive exports to $80–100 billion, leveraging ASEAN’s healthcare, digital, and infrastructure booms. Strategic reforms—PLI schemes, infrastructure like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, and deeper AIFTA integration—are vital to tran...

Adani Group’s Bold Leap into India’s Defense Arena The Adani Group has stormed into India’s defense sector with ambition and precision, transforming itself into a powerhouse through Adani Defence & Aerospace, a division of Adani Enterprises Ltd. Since 2015, Adani has built a robust portfolio, from cutting-edge drones like the Hermes 900 and Drishti 10 Starliner to small arms, missiles, and anti-submarine warfare systems. Strategic partnerships with global giants like Elbit Systems, Thales Group, and EDGE Group, alongside DRDO, fuel its technological edge. With world-class facilities in Hyderabad and Kanpur, Adani is scaling production and eyeing exports to the Middle East and beyond. This note unpacks Adani’s defense journey—detailing products, deliveries, technological sophistication, and operational scale—while weaving in insights from industry leaders like Rajinder Singh Bhatia and Anil Ambani. It concludes with takeaways on Adani’s role in redefining India’s defense landscape...