New Delhi, September 10, 2025 — Thales, a global leader in aerospace, defense, and digital security, has announced the appointment of Ankur Kanaglekar as Vice President for India. The appointment, effective 10 September 2025, signals a significant step in the company’s commitment to expanding its operations and deepening engagement with the Indian market.
With this leadership change, Thales aims to accelerate its strategy of building robust local partnerships, fostering innovation, and aligning with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
“This appointment underscores Thales’ long-term commitment to India. We are focused on leveraging global expertise while fostering indigenous capabilities that contribute to India’s defense and aerospace ecosystem,” the company stated.
Kanaglekar’s leadership will be instrumental in driving Thales’ India operations forward, strengthening collaboration with government, industry, and academia, while promoting research and innovation tailored for Indian needs.
Thales has a longstanding presence in India, with initiatives across defense, aerospace, digital identity, and cybersecurity. The company continues to support ‘Make in India’ through joint ventures, technology transfers, and skill development programs.
With Ankur Kanaglekar at the helm, Thales is poised to further expand its footprint and reinforce its role as a trusted partner in India’s journey toward self-reliance and technological advancement.
India took a bold stride towards becoming a global hub for green mobility as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated two landmark initiatives at the Suzuki Motor Plant in Hansalpur, Gujarat. The event marked a transformative moment in India’s green energy journey, reinforcing the government’s push for Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India.
At the center of this historic day was the launch of Suzuki’s first global strategic Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)—the e-VITARA—which will now be manufactured in India and exported to over 100 countries, including advanced markets like Europe and Japan. This development officially positions India as Suzuki’s global production hub for electric vehicles.
In a parallel breakthrough, PM Modi also launched domestic production of hybrid battery electrodes at the TDS Lithium-Ion Battery plant, a joint venture between Toshiba, Denso, and Suzuki. This step signifies a crucial shift in India’s EV supply chain dynamics, ensuring that over 80% of the battery value is now manufactured within the country.
PM Modi highlighted that what began over a decade ago, when land was first allotted to Maruti Suzuki in Gujarat, has now matured into a global export powerhouse. He emphasized that the new EV initiatives reflect both India’s engineering capacity and its growing importance in global value chains. He praised the late Osamu Suzuki’s vision and the expansion of India-Japan cooperation in manufacturing and innovation.
Acknowledging the broader significance of the developments, the Prime Minister noted that India is now exporting cars—and electric vehicles—back to Japan, a testament to India’s rising capabilities and global trust in its manufacturing standards. He stressed that companies like Suzuki are not just foreign investors, but brand ambassadors of India’s industrial transformation.
Further emphasizing clean mobility, PM Modi announced plans for hybrid ambulances, developed within just six months by Maruti Suzuki, as part of the ₹11,000 crore PM E-DRIVE scheme. These vehicles are set to modernize emergency services while aligning with India’s clean energy goals.
The Prime Minister also reaffirmed India’s dedication to building a strong domestic EV ecosystem. Until recently, India imported nearly all its EV batteries, but now, with the local production of hybrid battery components, the nation is moving quickly toward self-reliance. PM Modi noted that initiatives like the National Critical Mineral Mission, which will launch over 1,200 exploration campaigns, aim to secure rare earth minerals essential for EVs and semiconductors.
PM Modi credited sustained reforms over the past decade for the dramatic growth in manufacturing—electronics production has grown by 500%, mobile phone output by 2,700%, and defence production by over 200%. He emphasized that the focus on plug-and-play infrastructure, logistics parks, and PLI schemes have transformed India into a competitive industrial destination.
Highlighting the depth of India-Japan ties, PM Modi shared how Japan played a key role in the early editions of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, and how personal efforts were made to ensure comfort and cultural integration for Japanese investors—from golf courses to cuisine. He announced that he would be visiting Japan next week, further reinforcing the strength of the bilateral relationship.
The Prime Minister concluded by calling on Indian states to compete in attracting global investors through reform-driven, pro-development policies. He expressed confidence that the initiatives launched today will lay the foundation for a developed India by 2047, with Japan continuing to be one of the country’s most trusted partners on that journey.
Also present at the ceremony were Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, Japan’s Ambassador to India H.E. Mr. Ono Keiichi, and senior executives from Suzuki Motor Corporation.
In a groundbreaking move, Apple has announced that its entire iPhone 17 lineup will be manufactured in India, marking the first time in history that the company will produce a full generation of iPhones outside China.
This decision reflects Apple’s broader strategy to diversify its global supply chain and reduce dependence on a single market, while also strengthening India’s position as a hub for advanced electronics manufacturing.
Over the past few years, Apple has gradually expanded production in India through its suppliers Foxconn, Wistron, and Pegatron. The shift to manufacturing all iPhone 17 models in India highlights the country’s growing capabilities and importance in Apple’s long-term vision.
Industry experts believe this milestone will not only boost local employment and investments but also reinforce India’s Make in India initiative, making the country a key player in global high-tech manufacturing.
With the iPhone 17 expected to launch in 2026, this decision ensures India will play a pivotal role in Apple’s most advanced smartphones yet.
Porvorim, August 11, 2025 — Goa is preparing to soar into a new era of technological innovation with the announcement of a Drone Design and Aero Centre at Quitol, a unique facility where drones can be designed, tested, and launched in a regulated sandbox environment. This initiative is a key component of the state’s progressive Drone Policy 2022, announced by Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte.
Set to be part of the proposed Tourism Aero Hub, the new centre will make Goa a national beacon for drone design, development, and deployment. “The Centre will be uniquely positioned in India and support next-generation innovation in drone technology,” said Minister Khaunte during the announcement.
🔹 Deep Local Roots and Global Vision
Goa’s drone policy, launched in December 2022, aims to create a full-fledged ecosystem supporting design, manufacturing, testing, and training. A shining example of local talent driving global innovation is Deepak Pathania, who is currently designing the world’s first amphibian drone — right here in Goa.
🔹 Certified Training & Women Empowerment
The Goa IT Department has initiated the empanelment of DGCA-approved agencies to offer certified drone pilot and technician training, opening career pathways for Goan youth.
Additionally, aligned with the national Drone Didi scheme, Goa plans to equip women-led Self Help Groups (SHGs) with drone technology and entrepreneurial skills. These groups will be empowered to offer services across agriculture, mining, healthcare, and tourism.
🔹 Citizen-Centric Applications and ‘Make in India’
The drone policy is not just about tech—it’s about impact. The government encourages the use of drones for services that touch everyday lives:
Precision agriculture
Land mapping in mining and forestry
Medical delivery in remote areas
Tourism videography and promotion
All these initiatives contribute to the ‘Make in India’ agenda, focusing on self-reliance and indigenous technology development.
🛠️ What’s Next?
Goa’s Drone Design and Aero Centre is poised to become a national innovation sandbox, supporting startups, researchers, government services, and entrepreneurs with infrastructure and training.With its rich talent pool, cutting-edge policy, and government support, Goa is cementing its place as a rising star in India’s drone ecosystem.
Every year, National Handloom Day honors the intricate art of weaving that has defined India’s identity for centuries. But beyond heritage and craft, the handloom industry represents something even more profound — women’s empowerment and rural strength.
In India, over 70% of the handloom workforce comprises women, many from remote and rural communities. These women are not only preserving ancient weaving techniques but also driving economic change in their households and communities.
The handloom sector is the second-largest employment provider in rural India, only after agriculture. It blends creativity with culture, sustainability with self-reliance. Each sari, shawl, and fabric is a story — of tradition, toil, and transformation.
This National Handloom Day, let’s celebrate the hands that weave magic and the heritage that binds generations. Whether you wear it, showcase it, or support it — you are part of keeping this legacy alive.
📍 Let’s be vocal for local. 📍 Let’s choose handloom with pride.
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