In 2025, India experienced a pivotal moment in its technological evolution, as collaboration between the public and private sectors became a significant driver for innovation, expansion, and worldwide leadership. Strategic partnerships in areas such as policy, infrastructure, AI, semiconductors, digital public platforms, and deep-tech ecosystems hastened India's shift from merely adopting technology to taking the lead in it.

By uniting the government’s vision with the agility of the private sector, India bolstered its digital infrastructure, promoted inclusive growth, and solidified its status in the global technology landscape.

Here are the 5 major partnerships, and effects that contributed to shaping India’s narrative of technological leadership in 2025.

IBM to Support Maharashtra in Developing Quantum Computing Initiative

IBM, a global technology giant, has announced its support for Maharashtra in enhancing its quantum computing initiatives. The US-based firm, already present in the state, has also signed a letter of intent with the Maharashtra government to explore ways of assisting the state in its quantum projects.  

 IBM will provide its expertise to Maharashtra to facilitate the development of its own quantum initiative, along with hosting workshops and other programs to boost the state's quantum ecosystem.   Maharashtra's chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis, sees this collaboration with IBM as a way to leverage quantum innovation for societal transformation, while also ensuring that the benefits reach all citizens.  

Hans Dekkers, IBM's general manager for the Asia Pacific region, views this initiative as a dedication to supporting Maharashtra in building a robust quantum ecosystem.   Sandip Patel, the Managing Director for IBM India and South Asia, expressed enthusiasm for partnering with the state government to enhance quantum computing skills.   

Fadnavis recently inaugurated IBM's client experience center in Mumbai, which aims to provide support for Indian companies in utilizing AI, hybrid cloud, and quantum computing.   The center will also offer solutions and services from IBM's AI portfolio, including the watsonx platform, data analytics, cybersecurity, hybrid cloud technology, and consulting-led transformation.   

Maruti Suzuki India Signs MoU with the Japan External Trade Organization

Maruti Suzuki India Limited has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Japan External Trade Organization to promote innovation and create business opportunities for startups in India and Japan. The agreement was officially signed by Dr. Tapan Sahoo of Maruti Suzuki and Takashi Suzuki of JETRO in the presence of Hisashi Takeuchi, the Managing Director & CEO of Maruti Suzuki.

This partnership between Maruti Suzuki and JETRO aims to help Indian startups tap into Japan's innovation ecosystem and vice versa for Japanese startups to access the Indian innovation ecosystem.   Furthermore, Maruti Suzuki and JETRO will work together to facilitate the participation of startups in various activities and events, connecting them with potential partners.  

 Startups selected through Maruti Suzuki's innovation programs, such as Accelerator, Incubation, Mobility Challenge, and Nurture, will have the opportunity to join these events. Japanese startups can also engage with the Indian startup ecosystem by participating through JETRO.   

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Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited says, “Startups are key drivers of innovation and economic growth. Through our multi-format innovation programs, we have been engaging with startups in India to co-create technology-driven solutions relevant to the automobile manufacturing and mobility space.”

Takashi Suzuki, Chief Director General, JETRO India says, “Maruti Suzuki stands as one of the finest examples of the successful partnership between India and Japan. With this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), we are creating opportunities for even more fruitful business collaborations between our two nations. This MoU aims to foster innovation, drive economic growth, and further strengthen the deep-rooted ties between India and Japan.”

Microsoft Deepens Ties to India's AI Ecosystem

 The CEO of Microsoft, Satya Nadella, declared a strong commitment to bolstering the artificial intelligence industry in India through substantial investments in infrastructure.   He emphasized the company's focus on expanding its presence in the cloud sector and providing training opportunities to millions of individuals in India to equip them for a future centered around artificial intelligence.   

During a Microsoft event, Nadella expressed his enthusiasm for investing in India and bringing top-notch infrastructure to the country, referring to the $ 17.5 billion investment as Microsoft's largest in Asia. He highlighted the company's rapid growth in the cloud industry across India, especially in regions like central India, West India, and South India, as well as a partnership with Jio. 

Nadella confirmed that a new data centre area would be operational by 2026, mentioning that it would be completely sustainable.   He emphasized the importance of cybersecurity and how Microsoft processes billions of signals daily to ensure security on platforms like Azure and Windows.

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Following a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nadella mentioned the government's strong backing of Microsoft's significant investment in India, which is aimed at promoting societal well-being, economic development, and overall growth.   He stated that this new investment builds upon a previous commitment of three billion dollars announced during his last visit.

Nadella also revealed plans to train 20 million individuals in India in AI skills, highlighting how initiatives like the government's E-Shram programme can benefit unorganized workers.   He commended India's growing role in the global developer community, predicting that India will lead the GitHub community by 2030 due to its active engagement and impactful projects.   

Gautam Adani Announces Dual Talent Initiatives at IIT-Dhanbad

 Chairman of the well-known Adani Group, Gautam Adani, introduced two significant projects at the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) in Dhanbad. These projects involve an extensive annual internship program and the founding of the Adani 3S Mining Excellence Centre.

Adani expressed that the initial project is the Adani Annual Internships at IIT Dhanbad, where 50 paid internships will be provided each year to third-year students who meet specific criteria.   Subsequently, at least 25 percent of these interns will be offered employment opportunities to join the organization, as per Adani's announcement during the institute's centenary celebrations.

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Emphasizing the group's commitment to innovation, Adani mentioned, "We are seeking individuals who think outside the box, not those who simply conform to existing standards.   We want innovators who are ready to tackle our most challenging problems and rewrite the rules.   We invite those with the motivation to solve seemingly unsolvable issues."

The second initiative, the Adani 3S Mining Excellence Centre, was characterized as an advanced innovation center.   Adani highlighted that it's more than just a laboratory, but a collaborative environment where responsible mining practices, innovation, and partnerships between industry and academia converge.   With state-of-the-art facilities like metaverse labs, drone fleets, seismic sensing, and precision blasting systems, the center will also host an annual campus-wide hackathon.   

ARM's Bengaluru Facility to Design 2nm Chips: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that ARM, a British semiconductor company, will be utilizing their recently established center in Bengaluru to work on developing two-nanometer chips.   This announcement was made by the minister at the opening ceremony of the new facility.

The minister highlighted the importance of building a strong talent pipeline as a major goal of India's semiconductor initiative.   He mentioned that India's skilled workforce has been attracting various international design companies to set up operations in the country.

During the Paris Summit in France, Prime Minister Narendra Modi played a key role as the joint co-chair of the event.   The upcoming summit will focus on artificial intelligence safety and its impacts.   To prepare for this summit, NITI Aayog organized a meeting to share successful AI implementation practices from different parts of India, as Vaishnaw shared with the press.

Vaishnaw stressed the progress of India's semiconductor ecosystem, mentioning that the country currently has 10 facilities under development, including two fabrication plants and eight ATMP units.   CG Semi has already started pilot production, with two more facilities expected to begin operations soon.

 

He also noted that ecosystem partners setting up manufacturing units in India are now sourcing more than 500 specialty chemicals and 50 crucial gases domestically for fabrication processes.   Substrate producers have also started operations, strengthening the local supply chain.

Vaishnaw also mentioned the success of the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) program, through which several companies have received venture capital funding.   He also announced the launch of the India Deep Tech Fund, which has a $1 billion allocation to support sectors like artificial intelligence, semiconductors, biotechnology, and other advanced technologies, with plans for further expansion.