India-China reset revs up stalled auto projects

SEVERAL STALLED AUTOMOTIVE projects in India involving Chinese companies are back on track, following a push by New Delhi and Beijing to improve bilateral ties.

- SWARAJ BAGGONKAR

India and China are "development partners and not rivals", Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping affirmed during their cordial meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin last week.

Indian entities that are either subsidiaries of Chinese companies or have business cooperation with companies based in China have witnessed a spurt in activities over the past several days including start of product planning and forging of partnerships. After being on the back burner for almost a year, the launch plans of China-based electric vehicle brand Leapmotor is finally getting some traction. One of Europe's largest carmakers Stellantis, which has a controlling stake in Leapmotor International, said it is scouting for the right products for the Indian market.