SEPTEMBER, 20269India is preparing the next phase of its 3D printing strategy to expand industrial use and strengthen domestic manufacturing. Since February 2022, the National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing (NSAM) has trained over 1.54 lakh people, supported 56 start-ups, and helped develop 65 indigenous technologies.The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is now conceptualizing NSAM 2.0 to accelerate innovation, boost commercial adoption, and improve India's position in the global additive manufacturing market. The proposed strategy builds on earlier efforts to develop local technologies, skilled workers, and manufacturing capabilities. Indian contract manufacturing could become more competitive as India changes how it treats manufacturing services provided to foreign companies under its latest Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms. The GST Council has recommended granting export status to eligible contract manufacturing activities involving goods owned by foreign principals, while also widening tax refund provisions and easing restrictions on input tax credits.The measures could improve the economics of locating processing and assembly operations in India as global manufacturers diversify their supply chains. However, the bigger opportunity lies in whether these changes encourage foreign companies to source more components, processing services and manufacturing capabilities locally, helping India capture greater value beyond final-product assembly. India and Singapore are exploring a major power connectivity project under the ASEAN Power Grid initiative. The proposed India-Singapore power grid could enable 2,000 megawatts (MW) of cross-border electricity transmission. One option involves a 3,000-kilometer land-based corridor linking Imphal to Singapore through Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia.The project could strengthen regional energy trade, improve energy security, and support the integration of clean energy across Southeast Asia. The proposal was highlighted by Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy, at the 20th East Asia Summit Energy Ministers' Meeting in Manila, Philippines, on October 8, 2026. High-speed coastal movement takes a new form as Waterfly Technologies launches its electric seaglider. The Chennai-based aerospace startup builds an electric Wing-in-Ground seaglider that flies just a few metres above the water, blending aircraft speed with the lower costs of marine craft. Founders design the vehicle to handle coastal transport, cargo delivery, tourism and amphibious patrol without any need for runways.SEN-1X harnesses the ground-effect phenomenon to create extra lift and cut drag while staying close to the waves. This approach offers rapid movement for medical emergencies, surveillance, and contested logistics. Waterfly positions the craft as a practical solution for regions that lack airport infrastructure yet require fast, efficient coastal connections. GST REFORM: CAN INDIA MOVE BEYOND ELECTRONICS ASSEMBLY?INDIA-SINGAPORE POWER GRID PLAN COULD TRANSFORM REGIONAL ENERGY TRADENSAM 2.0: CAN INDIA BECOME A GLOBAL 3D PRINTING HUB?WATERFLY'S SEN-1X SKIMS THE SURFACE FOR HIGH-SPEED LOGISTICS
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