MAY 20258India and Saudi Arabia are collaborating on a joint initiative that will showcase the strength and significance of their relationship. The two nations will link their power grids via undersea cables traversing the Arabian Sea. Undersea cables facilitate the interconnection of power grids across various locations, promoting the exchange of electricity resources and the balancing of supply and demand.In 2023, both nations signed a memorandum of understanding to create a broad framework for collaboration in electrical interconnection; sharing electricity during peak periods and emergencies; joint project development; co-production of green/clean hydrogen and renewable energy; as well as establishing secure, dependable, and resilient supply chains for materials utilized in green/clean hydrogen and the renewable energy sector.The initiative could transform India's role from a net importer of Saudi oil and cooking gas (LPG) to an energy exporter with renewable energy and hydrogen sales. Saudi Arabia is the third biggest supplier of oil for India and the top provider of LPG.This will signify the initial offshore connection in Prime Minister Modi's 'One Sun, One World, One Grid' (OSOWOG) concept of a worldwide grid focused mainly on renewable energy.Introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018 at the inaugural Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), OSOWOG aspires to create a worldwide interconnected grid designed for transferring renewable energy between nations to realize energy sustainability.The expansion of the cross-border grid seeks to incorporate renewable resources like solar, wind, and hydro, which differ by region. By distributing these resources through interconnected grids, countries can more effectively handle supply and demand surges, enhancing grid stability and decreasing dependence on fossil fuels. India presently shares approximately 4,100 MW of electricity with its neighboring nations, such as Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar. In a major step toward making India a global electronics manufacturing hub, the Union government is set to roll out its long-anticipated electronics components manufacturing scheme. Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the guidelines are nearly finalised and the application portal will go live in the coming days.The scheme aims to scale domestic production of critical components such as printed circuit boards (PCBs), PCB assemblies, electromechanical parts, passive components, and camera modules. Speaking at the launch of VVDN Technologies' mechanical innovation park and surface mount technology (SMT) line in Manesar, Vaishnaw said, "I would prefer even the entire camera is made in India," underscoring India's growing capabilities in precision manufacturing.He further emphasized India's vision to broaden its base in component manufacturing while achieving deep expertise in key areas. Highlighting the country's progress, Vaishnaw noted that AI servers are already being designed and built within India, and the larger goal is to localise the entire electronics value chain--including smartphone design, chip manufacturing, and PCBs--to enhance technological self-reliance and national security.India's robust intellectual property approach and design-focused strategies, he said, will set the country apart globally. On geopolitical concerns and U.S. tariffs, he added, "The industry feels they will be able to figure out alternatives." India is targeting electronics exports worth USD 500 billion by 2030­31, with developed nations increasingly sourcing from its maturing electronics ecosystem. INDIA, SAUDI ARABIA CONSIDER UNDERSEA HIGH-VOLTAGE LINK ACROSS ARABIAN SEAINDIA SET TO ROLL OUT ELECTRONICS COMPONENTS SCHEME: IT MINISTERTOP STORIES
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