Indian companies

DW News examines whether India's emerging space startups can transform the country into a global space power. Following the success of state agency ISRO, including its lunar landing, private Indian companies are now developing launch vehicles, satellites and other space technology, drawing international attention to India's growing commercial space sector and its ambitions on the world stage.

Indian companies are preparing roughly $3 billion in debt issuances, moving ahead of a potential interest rate hike by the Reserve Bank of India. Borrowers appear to be seeking to lock in funding before borrowing costs rise, as markets watch the central bank's next policy move amid inflation concerns.

The United States is tightening immigration enforcement, and the H-1B skilled worker visa programme is at the centre of the debate. Analysts, including India's Vivekananda International Foundation, warn that stricter scrutiny, higher costs and uncertainty are complicating pathways for foreign professionals, particularly Indian tech workers, who account for the largest share of H-1B recipients.

Indian stock indexes are expected to open little changed on Tuesday as a deadlock between the United States and Iran over its nuclear programme keeps oil prices elevated. Higher crude weighs on India, a major oil importer, putting pressure on import-dependent companies and inflation expectations, while investors stay cautious ahead of further geopolitical developments.

Tata Trusts has put forward a plan to restructure Tata Sons in an effort to prevent the conglomerate from being forced to list on Indian stock markets, a push driven by the Reserve Bank of India. The central bank's rules on finance companies have pressed Tata Sons toward a public listing, and the proposal marks a significant intervention by the charitable trusts that control the group.

ChatGPT is OpenAI's widely used AI chatbot, and searches for it remain high in India. The main recent news is a Guardian report that OpenAI said a bug or rogue agent activity led to 53 images from ChatGPT users being leaked, the latest in a series of incidents involving the company's autonomous features. The available posts do not explain the specific driver behind the surge in Indian searches, though interest in the chatbot and its safety issues is ongoing.

Red Bull has filed a lawsuit against an Indian regulator after authorities moved to stop its product being labelled an 'energy drink'. The dispute centres on labelling rules for caffeinated beverages sold in India, and the company is challenging the ban through the courts. The case highlights growing friction between global beverage brands and Indian food-safety regulators over product classification standards.

Google has begun testing a feature that lets users in India buy products from Flipkart, the Indian e-commerce platform owned by Walmart, directly through its Gemini assistant and AI Mode in Search. The trial points to a broader push to turn AI chat and search experiences into shopping channels, as tech companies race to blend conversational AI with online commerce.

According to the headline, 19 Indian startups raised a combined total of more than $397 million in funding between September 21 and September 26, 2026. The rounds spanned a wide range of sectors, including electric vehicles, foodtech, cleantech, healthtech, defencetech, footwear, fintech and artificial intelligence. No further details about the individual companies, investors or deal sizes are given, so the full picture of the week's fundraising activity remains limited.

Indian startup TakeMe2Space plans to launch a satellite equipped with orbital edge-computing capabilities aboard an upcoming SpaceX mission. The company aims to process data in space rather than sending it back to Earth, a move that could reduce costs and delays for satellite data users. The announcement highlights the growing role of Indian space startups in commercial spaceflight.

Google is piloting the ability to purchase products from Flipkart, the Indian e-commerce platform owned by Walmart, directly through its Gemini AI assistant and AI Mode in Search. The test, reported in India, would let users complete purchases without leaving Google's AI interfaces, deepening the company's push into AI-powered commerce and tightening its ties with Flipkart.

ACEN, the renewable energy arm of the Ayala Group, has sold an initial 10% stake in its 250-MW solar project in India. The partial divestment is an early step in the company's plans to bring in partners for the Indian photovoltaic scheme, reflecting ongoing interest from investors in utility-scale solar assets in the country.

Indian nutrition company Hexagon Nutrition has introduced a stabilised vitamin A formulation designed for large-scale food fortification across African markets. The product aims to address vitamin A deficiency, a widespread public health problem on the continent, by withstanding harsh processing and storage conditions in staple foods such as flour and oil. Industry coverage highlights growing investment in micronutrient fortification solutions for developing regions.

Retail investors are closely watching three Indian oil stocks following disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, the key shipping route for global crude. Tensions in the strait have raised concerns about oil supply and fuel prices, prompting speculation about which Indian energy companies could benefit or suffer. Indian media and finance outlets are highlighting the stocks traders believe are positioned to move on further developments.

Indian solar manufacturer Goldi Solar has filed preliminary paperwork for an initial public offering using the confidential pre-filing route recently opened by India's market regulator. The route lets companies submit draft papers without public disclosure, giving flexibility to delay or adjust the listing. It is the latest sign of strong investor appetite for renewable energy stocks in India.

Orient Cables' initial public offering is drawing attention from Indian investors, with searches focused on its grey market premium, a common informal indicator of expected listing gains. Financial explainers are breaking down the company's business and offer details as retail interest builds ahead of the listing.