\nPune, 27 January 2026:<\/strong> The 19th edition of the Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT 2026)<\/em>\u2014the flagship biennial event of The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI)\u2014was inaugurated today by Hon\u2019ble Minister for Heavy Industries, Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy<\/strong>, at the Pune International Exhibition and Convention Centre (PIECC), Moshi.\n<\/p>\n \nMarking a landmark moment coinciding with ARAI\u2019s Diamond Jubilee Year<\/strong>, SIAT 2026 brought together global leaders, technocrats, researchers, policy-makers, and innovators under the theme \u201cInnovative Pathways for Safe and Sustainable Mobility.\u201d<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n \nShri Prasan Firodia, Managing Director \u2013 Force Motors and Vice President \u2013 ARAI Governing Council, welcomed Hon\u2019ble Ministers, the dignitaries, and participants to the grand Inauguration Ceremony of SIAT 2026.\n<\/p>\n \nIn his inaugural address, the Chief Guest of the ceremony, Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy<\/strong>, commended ARAI for its 60-year journey of contributions to India\u2019s automotive ecosystem. Highlighting India\u2019s rapid economic progress toward becoming the world\u2019s third-largest economy, he emphasized the automotive sector\u2019s crucial role in manufacturing growth, exports, advanced R&D, and emerging software-led mobility solutions.\n<\/p>\n \nHe further mentioned that \u201clooking at the scale of this conference, depth of technical content to be presented and impressive expertise gathered here, I believe this event will result in an exciting exchange of information generating new knowledge and ideas showing pathways for India\u2019s 2047 and 2070 resolves of being a developed country and achieving net zero emissions.\u201d<\/em>\n<\/p>\n \nThe Minister reaffirmed the Government of India\u2019s strong push for sustainable, technology-driven mobility through initiatives such as the Capital Goods Scheme Phase II, FAME II, PLI Schemes, PM e-Drive Scheme<\/strong>, and the National Green Hydrogen Mission<\/strong>. These initiatives, he said, continue to strengthen India\u2019s innovation potential, self-reliance, and clean mobility roadmap.\n<\/p>\n \nAddressing the gathering, Shri Shailesh Chandra<\/strong>, President \u2013 SIAM and Managing Director, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles & Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, highlighted the automotive industry\u2019s ongoing global transformation driven by emerging technologies. He noted India\u2019s rising global stature\u2014now the world\u2019s largest producer of three-wheelers<\/strong>, among the top two in two-wheelers<\/strong>, top four in passenger vehicles<\/strong>, and top five in commercial vehicles<\/strong>, with record vehicle exports in 2025.\n<\/p>\n \nHe underscored the importance of sustainable growth, energy-efficient technologies, and stakeholder collaboration, while commending ARAI for facilitating meaningful knowledge exchange through SIAT since 1985.\n<\/p>\n \nTo mark ARAI\u2019s 60 years of excellence<\/strong>, several state-of-the-art mobility test and research facilities<\/strong> were inaugurated at the hands of Hon\u2019ble Minister for Heavy Industries, Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy during SIAT 2026, including:\n<\/p>\n \nDr. Reji Mathai<\/strong>, Director \u2013 ARAI and Chairman-Advisory Committee, SIAT 2026, stated that the symposium reaffirmed the shared responsibility of global stakeholders to advance safety, sustainability, and next-generation mobility technologies.\n<\/p>\n \nHeld concurrently, SIAT Expo 2026<\/strong> features:\n<\/p>\n \nA special Technology Theatre<\/strong> will host expert talks and panel discussions, fostering collaboration and industry-academia engagement. A major highlight will be the Students\u2019 Poster Presentation Competition<\/strong>, enabling undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD students to showcase innovations and interact with industry and research leaders.\n<\/p>\n \nHonourable Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel, Shri Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma<\/strong>, appreciated the successful organisation of the 19th edition of SIAT 2026, noting that it was highly productive and added value for all participants. He congratulated ARAI on its Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years of dedicated service to the nation.\n<\/p>\n \nDr. N. H. Walke<\/strong>, Senior Deputy Director \u2013 ARAI and Convener \u2013 SIAT 2026, offered the vote of thanks.\n<\/p>\n \nWith strong international participation, impactful discussions, and the launch of advanced testing infrastructure, SIAT 2026 reaffirms ARAI\u2019s commitment to driving safer, cleaner, and smarter mobility for India and the world.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hon\u2019ble Minister for Heavy Industries Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy inaugurates SIAT 2026 in Pune Pune, 27 January 2026: The 19th edition of the Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT 2026)\u2014the flagship biennial event of The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI)\u2014was inaugurated today by Hon\u2019ble Minister for Heavy Industries, Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy, at the \u2026 Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":6750,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"class_list":["post-6867","press-release","type-press-release","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.araiindia.com\/mr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release\/6867","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.araiindia.com\/mr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press-release"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.araiindia.com\/mr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/press-release"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.araiindia.com\/mr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6750"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.araiindia.com\/mr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6867"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
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