India’s government has partnered with Alibaba.com on an export-focused initiative aimed at helping startups and small businesses connect with overseas buyers, according to a report by TechCrunch.
The collaboration, announced under the Startup India programme, seeks to identify startups that can support Indian exporters in onboarding and scaling their presence on Alibaba’s global B2B platform. These startups will receive commissions and technical support to assist small manufacturers and traders in reaching international markets.
Selective engagement with Chinese platforms
The move highlights New Delhi’s calibrated approach towards Chinese technology firms. While India imposed sweeping bans on several Chinese consumer apps in 2020 following a deadly border clash—including platforms such as TikTok, PUBG Mobile and AliExpress—those restrictions remain in place.
The partnership with Alibaba.com, however, reflects a limited and targeted engagement focused specifically on export promotion rather than a broader shift in policy.
MSMEs central to export strategy
Micro, small and medium enterprises remain critical to India’s export ambitions. They account for nearly half of the country’s exports and around 31% of GDP, according to official estimates.
Alibaba.com’s platform, which connects over 50 million buyers across more than 200 countries and regions, offers Indian businesses access to global markets at scale. The company said it continues to focus on enabling ‘Made in India’ products to reach international customers through digital tools and infrastructure.
Strategic balance amid tensions
Experts view the partnership as part of India’s broader strategy of balancing economic opportunity with security concerns. Engagement is being allowed in sectors where there is clear commercial benefit, while restrictions remain in sensitive areas.
Analysts also note that India appears to be adopting a model similar to China’s restricting foreign apps for domestic users while allowing businesses to engage globally where it supports exports.
The development comes amid tentative signs of renewed engagement between India and China in multilateral technology forums. However, there is no indication of any rollback in restrictions on Chinese consumer-facing platforms.
Source: TechCrunch
