Nasscom vice-chairman Kishore Patil has called for India and Europe to collaborate on research, intellectual property and critical vehicle technologies as cars become increasingly software- and AI-defined.
Nasscom’s vice-chairman Kishore Patil has urged India and Europe to move beyond a buyer-supplier relationship and build a deeper industrial partnership around the next generation of vehicle technology. Speaking at the ELIV 2026 automotive electronics conference in Baden-Baden, he argued that the two regions should work together on research, development and intellectual property rather than limiting collaboration to production and outsourcing.
His case reflects a wider shift in the sector. Cars are increasingly defined by software, data and connected systems rather than mechanical hardware alone. Patil said the next phase will be shaped by artificial intelligence, with design, software development, testing and validation all becoming more automated and more dependent on AI capabilities.
He also set out the economic logic for closer cooperation. According to the figures he cited, India and Europe could together account for about a quarter of global car sales by 2035, equal to roughly 23.1 million new vehicles, while their combined vehicle exports may exceed 7.5 million units. The implication is that a shared industrial strategy could give both sides greater scale at a time when global competition is intensifying.
Patil identified semiconductors and battery technology, cybersecurity, automotive AI, factory robotics and autonomous mobility as the most important areas for joint work. Europe brings established strength in engineering and manufacturing, while India contributes software skills, AI talent and large-scale engineering capacity. In Patil’s view, that combination could help the two regions compete more effectively as the industry moves from software-defined vehicles towards systems that are increasingly AI-defined.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
