Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu on Wednesday (January 28) said that India should enhance its global aviation connections, particularly with countries in the Global South, where India is taking on a leadership role.
“India is being viewed globally as a country with stable and decisive leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the government intends to build on existing international partnerships,” Naidu said.
Speaking at the Wings India 2026 air show launch at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad, Naidu highlighted ongoing efforts to boost the manufacturing ecosystem in the country with the aims to position India as a key exporter of aviation components and products.
India-EU Trade Deal
Naidu also highlighted that the India-EU free trade agreement is one of the most complicated deals that the country ever cracked. He added that the deal revolves around developing the manufacturing ecosystem in India.
He added that the government’s focus over the next decade will be on strengthening the country’s manufacturing ecosystem to meet future aviation requirements. He expressed confidence that India could emerge as a global exporter in civil aviation within the next 10 to 12 years.
“We feel that the manufacturing ecosystem is to cater to the growing demand in the coming decade. India can also become a global exporter in the coming 10-12 years. Today, we have also inaugurated the aircraft display. Here you see 787-9 aircraft specially fitted for Air India. This is the first delivery of this aircraft. The major bottleneck in aviation is the delivery of aircraft. I am confident that the arrival of aircraft will give the aviation sector a great boost,” Naidu said.
Strategic Aviation Partnerships
On Tuesday, Adani Group and Brazilian major Embraer announced plans to set up a regional transport aircraft manufacturing facility in the country. State-owned HAL is working with a Russian entity as part of efforts to manufacture passenger planes in India.
Aircraft makers Boeing and Airbus, both of which have a significant presence in India, source components and services worth over USD 2 billion annually from the country.
Wings India 2026 is scheduled to be held from January 28 to 31, 2026, at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad. Hosted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation with the support of the Telangana government, the event aims to highlight India’s growing strength in civil aviation manufacturing and rising demand in the sector.
The event has drawn delegations from more than 20 countries, and around 3,000 participants, including domestic and international businesses.