Latest news with #India-first
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Sunil Mittal exhorts industry to prioritise 'India-first' approach, focus on talent dividend, R&D
New Delhi: Bharti Group Chairman Sunil Mittal on Thursday exhorted the industry to prioritise an 'India-first' approach, rising above individual or sectoral interests to contribute to nation-building as the telecom sector doyen advocated prioritising of talent dividend, stepping up R&D, trade reset and a collaborative framework between industry and government. Speaking at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025, Mittal also advised companies to emulate the 'Tata' mould of trust as he highlighted the respect commanded by the 'house of Tatas'. Citing the progress made towards trade pacts between India and key nations, Mittal exuded confidence that the government will safeguard industry's interests in trade agreements, but asserted at the same time, that it is important that the "industry and chambers don't ask for things which will make FTAs difficult". Stating that lakhs of crores are stuck in litigation around direct taxes, indirect taxes, and other regulatory matters, the industry stalwart said initiatives like 'Vivad se Vishwas' can help release large sums stuck in cases. Doing so, it would also free up the industry from past litigations and problems, and allow a reset and planning for the future. Mittal noted that India is on the cusp of becoming the third-largest economy in the world and that industry plays a vital role in moving the economic agenda forward. "Let me talk about the role of our industry, the role in creating that necessary trust for all our stakeholders and ensuring that we keep in all our decisions with 'India-first' at the very industry has a very important role to I don't think we have earned the complete trust of all stakeholders. Many-a-times it is seen that we approach issues from our individual or, at times, sectoral interests," he said. Mittal outlined four key areas requiring immediate focus, including the need to capitalise on talent dividends and R&D investment. India spends less than one per cent of GDP on R&D, Mittal said describing it as "woefully inadequate for a country of our size". "We have the advantage that we have a large domestic market, but should we not spend more on R&D, innovation, and not just frugal innovation but going into really meaningful, deeply scientific, technological advances that India needs to make. Indian industry needs to step up its spending on R&D," Mittal said, asking the industry to rise above the approach of tax breaks for R&D spending. Mittal also advocated for a fundamental shift or reset in India's approach to trade and exports. "The industry must actively work with the government to identify policy gaps and suggest frameworks that create real velocity in building India. Let us hear the government's views, understand their expectations, and contribute meaningfully," he said. He cited the example of 'House of Tata' as one that evokes trust and respect. While the walls on immigration are rising every day, Mittal said, India's youth armed with the right training and skills can overcome such challenges thanks to the digital nature of the work. He said it is no surprise that India is seeing a dramatic growth of Global Capability Centres. "Even now, we hear some voices coming from some parts of the political spectrum about some form of reservation in the private sector and we all know that debate can continue. But how we can completely avoid that debate is by creating a workforce, creating a talent dividend," he said. Mittal nudged the industry to diversify its export basket. "...this is where I think CII, we as industry players need to work with the government and create policy frameworks to ensure that we are diversifying our export basket. No raw materials should really leave our shores without being processed and value-added. The more we can do locally here by adding value, the better off we will be" he said. At the same time, the telecom veteran said that while THE industry will do its bit, it needs enabling policies, especially in the area of ease of doing business. "And I know for this government, ease of doing business is important. They continuously track areas where there are this is again where CII should put out a position paper in giving every year few low-hanging fruits where the government can move quickly to allow the industry to have much easier runway to take off," he said. In this context, he highlighted areas like corporate affairs, listing of companies, and floating bonds in the international market. "Tax policies, which continuously are getting better, need to be further demystified and simplified. The movement towards a 25 per cent corporate tax, to my mind, was a fine example...I'm surprised the entire industry has still not moved to that. Let's also get rid of the old fascination with those exemptions and move on to a simplified, flat 25 per cent tax rate," he said.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Sunil Mittal urges industry to adopt 'India-first' focus on talent, R&D
Bharti Group Chairman Sunil Mittal on Thursday exhorted the industry to prioritise an 'India-first' approach, rising above individual or sectoral interests to contribute to nation-building as the telecom sector doyen advocated prioritising of talent dividend, stepping up R&D, trade reset and a collaborative framework between industry and government. Speaking at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025, Mittal also advised companies to emulate the 'Tata' mould of trust as he highlighted the respect commanded by the 'house of Tatas'. Citing the progress made towards trade pacts between India and key nations, Mittal exuded confidence that the government will safeguard industry's interests in trade agreements, but asserted at the same time, that it is important that the "industry and chambers don't ask for things which will make FTAs difficult". Stating that lakhs of crores are stuck in litigation around direct taxes, indirect taxes, and other regulatory matters, the industry stalwart said initiatives like 'Vivad se Vishwas' can help release large sums stuck in cases. Doing so, it would also free up the industry from past litigations and problems, and allow a reset and planning for the future. Mittal noted that India is on the cusp of becoming the third-largest economy in the world and that industry plays a vital role in moving the economic agenda forward. "Let me talk about the role of our industry, the role in creating that necessary trust for all our stakeholders and ensuring that we keep in all our decisions with 'India-first' at the very industry has a very important role to I don't think we have earned the complete trust of all stakeholders. Many-a-times it is seen that we approach issues from our individual or, at times, sectoral interests," he said. Mittal outlined four key areas requiring immediate focus, including the need to capitalise on talent dividends and R&D investment. India spends less than one per cent of GDP on R&D, Mittal said describing it as "woefully inadequate for a country of our size". "We have the advantage that we have a large domestic market, but should we not spend more on R&D, innovation, and not just frugal innovation but going into really meaningful, deeply scientific, technological advances that India needs to make. Indian industry needs to step up its spending on R&D," Mittal said, asking the industry to rise above the approach of tax breaks for R&D spending. Mittal also advocated for a fundamental shift or reset in India's approach to trade and exports. "The industry must actively work with the government to identify policy gaps and suggest frameworks that create real velocity in building India. Let us hear the government's views, understand their expectations, and contribute meaningfully," he said. He cited the example of 'House of Tata' as one that evokes trust and respect. While the walls on immigration are rising every day, Mittal said, India's youth armed with the right training and skills can overcome such challenges thanks to the digital nature of the work. He said it is no surprise that India is seeing a dramatic growth of Global Capability Centres. "Even now, we hear some voices coming from some parts of the political spectrum about some form of reservation in the private sector and we all know that debate can continue. But how we can completely avoid that debate is by creating a workforce, creating a talent dividend," he said. Mittal nudged the industry to diversify its export basket. "...this is where I think CII, we as industry players need to work with the government and create policy frameworks to ensure that we are diversifying our export basket. No raw materials should really leave our shores without being processed and value-added. The more we can do locally here by adding value, the better off we will be" he said. At the same time, the telecom veteran said that while THE industry will do its bit, it needs enabling policies, especially in the area of ease of doing business. "And I know for this government, ease of doing business is important. They continuously track areas where there are this is again where CII should put out a position paper in giving every year few low-hanging fruits where the government can move quickly to allow the industry to have much easier runway to take off," he said. In this context, he highlighted areas like corporate affairs, listing of companies, and floating bonds in the international market. "Tax policies, which continuously are getting better, need to be further demystified and simplified. The movement towards a 25 per cent corporate tax, to my mind, was a fine example...I'm surprised the entire industry has still not moved to that. Let's also get rid of the old fascination with those exemptions and move on to a simplified, flat 25 per cent tax rate," he said.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
CNBC-TV18 launches Prime, global business channel for Indians abroad
Network18 Media and Investments' CNBC-TV18 on Thursday announced the launch of its new business news channel, CNBC-TV18 Prime—a global business news channel created for the global Indian. 'Designed for CXOs, global decision-makers, and business leaders, CNBC-TV18 Prime is set to deliver incisive, data-driven coverage of international developments through an India-first lens,' the company said in a release. The new channel will be available on direct-to-home (DTH) platforms like Tata Play, Dish TV, and d2h, along with cable networks including DEN Networks, Hathway, GTPL (Gujarat Tele Link), SITI Networks, ICNCL (Indian Cable Net Company), Fastway, InCable, TCCL (Thamizhaga Cable TV Communication), Kal Cable, Arasu, VK Digital, and KCCL (Kerala Communicators Cable). This will ensure wide reach across urban and business hubs in India, the release stated. 'With CNBC-TV18 Prime, we are building a platform that reflects the global ambitions of India's business leaders,' said Smriti Mehra, chief executive officer, English and Business News, Network18 Media and Investments, in a statement. 'As Indian enterprises expand their presence on the world stage, there is a growing demand for intelligent, relevant, and actionable global coverage. CNBC-TV18 Prime goes beyond headlines to decode the implications of global developments for those who lead.' The release further stated that the programming is built around a 'follow-the-sun' approach, beginning with coverage of the Asian markets, moving through India and Europe, and concluding the day with the US markets. The show The Global Reset, hosted by Prashant Nair, will air daily at 12.00 pm, offering a deep, analytical look at the structural forces shaping economies and global markets, with a clear view of how these developments impact India. The Global Lens, hosted by Parikshit Luthra, will air daily at 8:30 pm, covering the most critical stories in foreign affairs, geopolitics, and global developments—decoding how these shape India's political and economic positioning. Adding to the comprehensive line-up, another programme will offer a deep dive into the pulse of global markets, commodities, and the evolving world of alternative asset classes.
Fashion Value Chain
21-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Victorinox Launches I.N.O.X. Chrono India-Exclusive Watch
In a rare India-first move, Victorinox Switzerland unveils the I.N.O.X. Chrono India Edition, a luxury timepiece collection created exclusively for the Indian market. With only 500 pieces available—250 each in rose gold PVD with rose gold bezel and rose gold PVD with black bezel—this limited-edition watch is a tribute to Indian festivals and premium taste. Blending Swiss precision with Indian celebration, each piece features a rugged yet elegant black rubber strap and is engineered for extreme durability, boasting ISO-certified 200m water resistance, shock resistance, and antimagnetic protection. The chronograph movement adds advanced functionality to its bold design. 'We wanted to make something culturally relevant and timeless,' said Debraj Sengupta, MD–Sales & Marketing, Victorinox India. 'This special launch celebrates Indian traditions through our most iconic collection.' Arianna Frésard, Head of Category Watches, added, 'The I.N.O.X. range embodies sophistication with industrial durability—this edition is a fine blend of heritage and innovation.' Exclusively available in India, the timepieces are retailing for ₹89,000, and are available at Victorinox stores in key cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai, and Pune, and online through major platforms like Helios, Tata CLiQ, Nykaa Man, and Ajio. Each watch comes with a 5-year warranty, reinforcing Victorinox's promise of excellence.
Business Standard
16-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Madhav Sheth Launches AI+ Smartphone Brand, Betting Big on India's Tech Future
NewsVoir New Delhi [India], May 16: In a move that signals both ambition and intent, Madhav Sheth, India's most influential smartphone visionary, today unveiled the AI+ logo--offering the first official look at the upcoming smartphone from his new venture, NxtQuantum Shift Technologies. The logo reveal marks the starting point of a larger ambition, one designed, engineered and manufactured entirely in India. It reflects a commitment to building thoughtful, secure and India-first technology. While details of the product will be showcased in due course, AI+ promises to reflect a new way of thinking about smartphones, one that prioritises trust, user focus and intelligent design. "For us, AI+ is more than a product; it's a mindset," said Madhav Sheth, Founder and CEO of NxtQuantum Shift Technologies. "It reflects our belief that India can not only participate in the global tech ecosystem but lead it, with design and purpose that reflect how people truly live and connect." The phone will be launched on Flipkart and other channels, a strategic partnership that combines scale with shared intent. Flipkart's vast PAN India delivery network will be key to bringing AI+ to users across India. This launch builds on Flipkart's deep understanding of Indian consumers and its commitment to enabling next-generation technology access at scale. It also reinforces AI+'s intent to meet users where they are, with a product designed for real-world needs, distributed through a platform they trust. Together, this launch sets the stage for a new chapter in India's smartphone evolution.
