India’s AI Strategy: Driving Inclusion, Innovation & Global Leadership

India is fast becoming a global powerhouse in artificial intelligence (AI), with a national strategy anchored in inclusion, innovation, and ethical governance. Spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to democratise technology, the country is turning AI into a powerful engine for solving local challenges, boosting economic growth, and creating jobs.
With a digital economy worth over ₹21.6 lakh crore (US$ 250 billion) and a tech workforce of more than 6 million, India is ranked among the world’s top AI nations by the Stanford AI Index and is the 2nd-largest contributor to AI projects on GitHub.

Key Highlights:

What It Means:

India isn’t just adopting AI — it’s shaping its future. With an emphasis on open ecosystems, developer support, data protection, and ethical AI, the country is setting a model for responsible AI leadership globally.

Infrastructure & Construction Drive India’s Steel Demand — Government Projects, EV Shift Add Momentum

India’s steel consumption is witnessing robust growth, with infrastructure and construction sectors accounting for nearly 65% of the total domestic steel usage, according to industry experts.
Speaking on this trend, Mr. Sanjay Singh, Director – Strategy and External Relations at Jindal Steel & Power, revealed that 25–30% of this demand stems directly from government-led infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, and urban development schemes. This surge underlines the government’s continued push to upgrade national infrastructure as a pillar of economic growth.
Adding to this, Ms. Swati Agrawal, CEO & President – Advisory at CARE Analytics, highlighted the booming real estate market and evolving automotive landscape as secondary yet significant contributors to steel demand. The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and investments in EV charging infrastructure are emerging as new demand drivers for steel, especially in urban corridors.

Policy Moves to Shield Domestic Steelmakers

To curb the influx of cheap imports and support local production, the Central Government enforced a 12% safeguard duty on steel imports in April 2025. The measure is mainly aimed at Chinese imports, with minimum import prices now fixed between Rs. 58,398 (US$ 675) and Rs. 83,378 (US$ 964) per tonne for key steel categories.
Mr. Singh acknowledged the safeguard duty’s impact, saying it has “insulated Indian producers from low-cost steel flooding the market,” thereby strengthening the competitiveness of domestic manufacturers.

Key Highlights:

India Eyes Expansion of Fruit Exports to Kuwait Beyond Mangoes

After the overwhelming success of the Indian Mango Festival at The Avenues Mall, India is now setting its sights on widening its fruit export basket to Kuwait.
Speaking to Kuwait Times, Indian Ambassador Dr. Adarsh Swaika revealed that discussions are in progress to introduce a new range of Indian-grown fruits such as dragon fruit, blueberries, and blackberries into the Kuwaiti market.
“These fruits are now being cultivated in India, and there is potential for them to enter the Kuwaiti market soon,” said Dr. Swaika.
This strategic move builds on the momentum created by the successful launch of six new late-season mango varieties in Kuwait, now available at Lulu Hypermarket and soon at other major retailers.

Key Highlights:

Why This Matters

India’s move to expand fruit exports is a key example of agri-logistics innovation and international market diversification. For logistics players and exporters, this signals growing demand in the GCC region for high-quality Indian horticultural products and the need to scale cold-chain infrastructure to meet rising expectations.

Emirates Shipping Line Enhances Gulf–India–Africa (GIA) Service

Emirates Shipping Line (ESL) is revamping its Gulf India Africa Express (GIA) service as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance service reliability, schedule efficiency, and market connectivity. The changes, announced via a recent advisory, are set to go live from August 27, 2025.
The GIA service plays a crucial role in connecting India, the Gulf region, and East Africa, and the optimized rotation is expected to strengthen trade links and transshipment options across these strategic regions.

Key Highlights of the Streamlined GIA Service:

Streamlined service to ensure better operational efficiency and schedule reliability.
Direct weekly connections between:
Seamless connections for Red Sea and East Mediterranean cargo via Nhava Sheva and Jebel Ali.
Backed by ESL’s trusted service agency network for localized support and service excellence.
Consistent weekly schedule to support planning and supply chain stability.

Updated GIA Port Rotation:

India–UK Free Trade Agreement 2025: A Game-Changer for Global Trade, Logistics & Business Expansion

The India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed on July 24, 2025, is a strategic milestone in global trade. Officially known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), this deal aims to double bilateral trade, reduce tariffs, and open market access across key sectors. One of the biggest beneficiaries? The logistics and freight industry, which will play a critical role in executing the surge in cross-border trade.

What Is the India–UK FTA 2025?

The India–UK FTA 2025 is a comprehensive trade agreement between India and the United Kingdom, focusing on reducing trade barriers, encouraging investment, and simplifying digital trade.

Key Highlights:

How Does the India–UK FTA Impact the Logistics Industry?

The logistics sector is central to implementing this agreement. Here’s how freight and logistics businesses will benefit:

1. Higher Cargo Volume

Lower tariffs = increased imports and exports = more shipping, warehousing, and last-mile delivery.

2. Simplified Customs & Border Clearance

The FTA introduces:
Freight forwarders will save time and reduce detention/demurrage costs at ports.

3. SME-Friendly Logistics Environment

4. Growth in Specialized Logistics Segments

Sector-Wise Logistics Impact: At a Glance

Sector

Trade Growth

Logistics Impact

Automotive

310% exports

Ro-Ro vessels, spare parts supply chains

Whisky & Alcohol

180% exports

Cold chain logistics, bonded warehouse demand

Machinery & Equipment

£527M GVA

ODC logistics, project cargo handling

Textiles & Leather

High Indian exports

Export container growth, multi-origin shipping

Professional Services

Easier market access

Cross-border documentation, courier networks

Infrastructure & Regional Logistics Benefits

United Kingdom:

India:

Trade Simplification Features That Help Logistics

Economic Impact of the India–UK FTA 2025

Metric

India

United Kingdom

GDP Growth

£5.1 billion

£4.8 billion

Export Growth

Surge in textiles, agri

60% exports to India

Real Wages Impact

Moderate

0.19% in UK (£2.2B yearly)

Sustainability and Green Logistics

Global Ripple Effects & Fair Competition

Monitoring, Flexibility & Review Mechanism

Key Takeaways for Logistics and Freight Companies

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A modern FTA that eliminates or reduces tariffs on 90% of traded goods between India and the UK, encouraging trade and investment.

The logistics sector will see higher cargo volumes, simplified customs, and greater demand for multimodal transport and digital workflows.

Yes. Lower compliance costs and faster clearance will benefit SMEs and regional logistics providers significantly.

Yes. The FTA promotes paperless trade, single-window customs clearance, and interoperable digital systems.

CargoNet helps manage trade documentation, booking, customs compliance, and cargo visibility—making it easier to operate under evolving global trade frameworks.

India’s Major Ports See 11% Surge in Container Volumes in Q1 FY26

India’s 12 major ports recorded strong growth in Q1 FY26, handling 220 million tonnes (MT) of cargo — a 6% year-on-year (YoY) rise, with container traffic leading the surge.

Key Highlights:

Top Performing Ports

Container Traffic Performance

According to Drewry’s July 17 report:

This decline reverses the upward rate trend seen in May-June, indicating a short-lived impact of earlier US tariff hikes.

Other Cargo Insights

Quick Facts: India's Major Ports

Gujarat Nears Completion of Logistics Master Plans for 8 Key Cities

The Gujarat government is close to finalizing comprehensive logistics master plans for eight major cities and the entire state, a major step toward streamlining industrial transportation needs.
State Industries Minister Balvantsinh Rajput reviewed progress in a recent meeting held in Gandhinagar, where the Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board (GIDB) presented updates on ongoing infrastructure initiatives.

Key Highlights:

Minister Rajput urged officials to accelerate progress, especially in aligning these initiatives with the broader goal of lowering logistics costs and enhancing ease of doing business in Gujarat.
GIDB CEO P Swaroop also briefed on the development of Special Investment Regions (SIRs) and other strategic projects under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.

India-UK Sign Landmark CETA Deal to Boost Trade and Logistics Synergy

In a major step toward strengthening bilateral economic ties, India and the United Kingdom have signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)—a breakthrough pact poised to reshape trade dynamics between the two nations.
The agreement was signed by India’s Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Mr. Piyush Goyal, and the UK’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Mr. Jonathan Reynolds, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Currently valued at ₹4.83 lakh crore (US$56 billion), bilateral trade is set to double by 2030, backed by the sweeping benefits of this agreement.

Key Highlights of the India-UK CETA

This landmark agreement not only opens new doors for export growth and job creation but also places India on a stronger footing in the evolving global supply chain landscape.
Stay tuned for more updates on how CETA impacts logistics, shipping, and cross-border trade operations.

India’s Concert Economy to Generate 1.2 Crore Temporary Jobs by 2030–2032

India’s booming concert and live event sector is on track to become a major employment engine, with 1.2 crore (12 million) temporary jobs expected to be created by 2030–2032, according to a report by global tech and digital talent solutions provider NLB Services.
With over 100 large-format concerts forecast annually, the ripple effect is set to transform not just tier-1 cities, but also tier-2 and 3 urban centers across the country.

Key Highlights:

Each concert is estimated to generate 15,000–20,000 temporary jobs across:
An estimated 10–15% of these temporary roles are converting into full-time careers in:
Over the next few years, India’s concert economy could surpass ₹15,000 crore (US$ 1.74 billion) in cumulative contribution—driven by ticketing, hospitality, transportation, and broader economic multipliers.

India’s Semiconductor Startups Attract Record Investments Backed by Government Push

India’s semiconductor sector is gaining strong momentum, with design-focused startups securing record funding thanks to robust support from the Government of India. Key initiatives such as the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme and the Chips to Startup (C2S) Programme, under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), are catalyzing innovation in chip design and advanced electronics.
One standout success is Netrasemi, a government-backed startup that has secured Rs. 107 crore (~US$ 12.38 million) in VC funding. The startup focuses on chip design for smart vision, CCTV systems, and IoT solutions.
Union Minister Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw hailed these developments, stating that India’s growing design ecosystem, backed by the India Semiconductor Mission, is fueling innovation-led, self-reliant growth in advanced technology sectors.

Key Highlights:

Why It Matters for the Logistics Sector:

With smarter chips powering IoT and CCTV technologies, India’s logistics and supply chain industries stand to benefit from enhanced tracking, surveillance, and data-driven automation.
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