Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy, opened the three-day Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT) 2026 in Pune. He highlighted India’s progress toward sustainable, safe, and competitive mobility solutions. This year’s symposium, organized by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) in collaboration with SAE International and SAEINDIA, coincides with ARAI’s Diamond Jubilee. It focuses on new pathways for future transportation systems.
Addressing a gathering of automotive experts, policymakers, and industry leaders, the Minister praised ARAI for sixty years of driving innovation and promoting cleaner and safer mobility. He called the organization’s role in strengthening India’s automotive ecosystem “commendable and transformative.”
India’s Economic Growth and Industrial Strength
Shri Kumaraswamy highlighted India’s rapid economic growth. He noted that the country is now the world’s fourth-largest economy, with a GDP of USD 4.18 trillion. It is expected to reach USD 7.3 trillion by 2030. He emphasized that the nation’s industrial strength and confidence are vital for future growth and global competitiveness.
Electric Mobility at the Core of Transformation
Stressing the importance of electric mobility, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy said: “Electric mobility lies at the heart of this transformation. It reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels, lowers emissions, and creates new opportunities for Indian industry, innovators and our young workforce.”
He detailed government initiatives accelerating EV adoption, including:
- FAME-II Scheme – ₹11,500 crore supporting over 16.71 lakh EVs and 9,000+ public charging stations.
- PM E-DRIVE Scheme – ₹10,900 crore, driving demand incentives and over 20 lakh EV sales.
- PLI Auto Scheme – ₹25,938 crore promoting domestic value addition.
- PLI-ACC Scheme – Targeting 50 GWh of advanced battery manufacturing.
- Rare Earth Permanent Magnet (REPM) Scheme – ₹7,280 crore to boost indigenous critical components.
He also underscored the electrification of commercial vehicles, which account for over 40% of transport pollution, and announced ₹2,000 crore for 70,000+ charging stations nationwide.
Driving Innovation and Collaboration
During the symposium, Shri Kumaraswamy visited exhibition stalls, talked with startups, and looked into technologies related to vehicle safety, electrification, and connected mobility. He opened three new facilities at ARAI’s Mobility Research Centre in Takwe to improve testing, research, and certification capabilities.
He appreciated the participation of MSMEs and startups. He expressed hope that SIAT 2026 would be a lively platform for collaboration, research, and innovation in India’s automotive ecosystem.
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