Highlights
- India to launch homegrown smartphone brands within 12–18 months with groundwork completed.
- IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw met Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis and OpenAI’s Chris Lehane to discuss AI’s potential and future collaborations.
- India emphasised “AI for global good,” inviting DeepMind and OpenAI to contribute.
Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that India is on track to introduce its own smartphone brands with launches expected over the next 12 to 18 months. Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026, the minister stated that the government has completed all the necessary groundwork to make this possible. Here’s more on that.
Indian Smartphone Brands on the Way
Vaishnaw highlighted that India now has a strong and mature electronics manufacturing ecosystem, making this the right time to push for domestic smartphone brands.
“Now we have a very substantial electronics ecosystem in our country, this is the time when we will be going for getting our own Indian brands in mobile phones. We have done all the homework that is required to be done,” he said.
He added that the ecosystem has progressed significantly, with the government engaging closely with component manufacturers involved in mobile phone production.
“Today and yesterday, we had significant meetings with the entire ecosystem, which produces the thousands of things that are required to go into a mobile phone. And it’s very happy, very satisfying progress. Very soon, maybe another one year from now, or maybe maximum 18 months from now, we should have our own Indian Brands coming out,” Vaishnaw noted.
Meetings With Global Tech Leaders at WEF 2026
During the WEF 2026 event, the IT Minister also met Google DeepMind CEO and co-founder Demis Hassabis, along with OpenAI’s Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane. The discussions focused on artificial intelligence and its broader impact.
Following the meeting, Hassabis shared his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), expressing optimism about collaboration with India.
“Great to meet you Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw. Really enjoyed our discussion on AI’s incredible potential to benefit humanity & India’s important role in realising this,” Hassabis wrote, while also confirming his participation in an upcoming summit in New Delhi.
Focus on ‘AI for Global Good’
Vaishnaw also hosted OpenAI’s Chris Lehane to discuss the theme of “AI for global good.” He encouraged both Google DeepMind and OpenAI to actively participate in shaping India’s upcoming AI policy frameworks, underlining the government’s focus on responsible and inclusive AI development.
FAQs
Q1. When will India launch its own smartphone brands?
Answer. India is expected to introduce homegrown smartphone brands within the next 12 to 18 months, as the government has already completed the necessary groundwork.
Q2. Why does the IT Minister believe now is the right time for Indian smartphone brands?
Answer. Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that India now has a mature electronics manufacturing ecosystem, with strong engagement from component makers, making this the ideal time to push for domestic brands.
Q3. What global tech leaders did the IT Minister meet at WEF 2026?
Answer. At the World Economic Forum 2026, Vaishnaw met Demis Hassabis (CEO & Co‑founder of Google DeepMind) and Chris Lehane (Chief Global Affairs Officer of OpenAI) to discuss artificial intelligence and its role in shaping India’s upcoming AI policy frameworks.