MAYASIA BUSINESS OUTLOOK8NEWS ROOMMAGELLANIC CLOUD FORMS UAV JV IN INDIA WITH GLOBAL PARTNERSMagellanic Cloud has announced a UAV JV in India, marking a significant step in its expansion into the defense and security technology sector.This UAV JV in India brings together Rayonix Tech, an India-based defense technology company, and XTEND, an Israel-based firm known for AI-powered robotics and drone systems.The joint venture, valued at around USD 11 million (approximately Rs 100 crore), will establish end-to-end capabilities across manufacturing, testing, and distribution within India.The focus is on delivering advanced unmanned aerial vehicle systems tailored to the evolving needs of the country's armed forces and security agencies, particularly for surveillance, reconnaissance, and mission-critical operations. India's road transport minister Nitin Gadkari has delivered a strong message that is hard to ignore.Speaking at a recent industry event, he said there is "no future for petrol and diesel vehicles", making it clear that petrol and diesel vehicles will not remain the backbone of India's transport system for long.His remarks put petrol and diesel vehicles under sharp focus as the government pushes for a cleaner, more sustainable shift.Gadkari's statement reflects a bigger plan already in motion. The government has been urging automakers to move away from fossil fuels and invest in green technologies. He stressed that rising air pollution in major cities and the country's heavy dependence on imported crude oil are major concerns that cannot be ignored anymore. According to him, cleaner fuels are no longer an option but a necessity. India has proposed new rules that could allow vehicles to use ethanol-blended fuel, marking another step in the country's effort to reduce fuel imports and promote clean energy sources.The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has released draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules to include fuels such as E85 fuel and E100 fuel. E85 is a fuel blend containing 85% ethanol and 15% petrol, while E100 is nearly pure ethanol. These draft rules are currently open for public feedback before they are officially implemented.The proposal follows India's progress in introducing E20 petrol, which contains 20% ethanol blended with petrol. By allowing higher ethanol blends, the government hopes to further cut dependence on imported crude oil and support biofuel production within the country.Ethanol is produced mainly from crops such as sugarcane, maize, and agricultural waste. Since it burns cleaner than conventional petrol, ethanol can help reduce vehicle emissions. Officials believe wider use of ethanol-blended fuel can strengthen energy security, lower fuel import costs, and create additional income opportunities for farmers involved in ethanol production. GADKARI DROPS BIG WARNING ON PETROL AND DIESEL VEHICLESINDIA MOVES TO ALLOW HIGHER ETHANOL-BLENDED FUEL FOR VEHICLESINDIA DRIVES COCA-COLA'S GLOBAL GROWTH IN Q1 SURGEIndia is playing a key role in Coca-Cola's global growth, with the company reporting strong volume gains for the January­March quarterThe update highlights how India has become a major driver of Coca-Cola's global growth, contributing alongside markets like China and the United States.The Coca-Cola Company reported a 3 percent rise in global unit case volume for the first quarter of 2026, supported by steady demand across key regions. Revenue for the quarter rose 12 percent to around $12.5 billion, reflecting both higher sales and pricing strength.India stood out as one of the strongest contributors to this momentum. The company saw solid demand across its beverage portfolio, especially in its core sparkling drinks segment. The performance underlines how India continues to gain importance in Coca-Cola's global strategy, not just as a large market but as a consistent growth engine.
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