India’s industrial conglomerate JSW Group is in advanced talks with Japanese and South Korean firms to set up a joint venture (JV) for battery-cell manufacturing in India, aiming to cut its dependence on Chinese imports of cells and components.

The proposed JV will cater to multiple sectors — including electric vehicles (EVs), commercial mobility fleets, and grid-scale energy storage systems (ESS). The initiative aligns with JSW’s EV ambitions and India’s broader mission to achieve self-reliance in clean-energy manufacturing. Company officials see the project as a strategic foundation for JSW’s entry into the EV ecosystem and a safeguard against supply-chain risks tied to China.

While the specific partners remain undisclosed, the inclusion of Japanese and Korean technology players indicates JSW’s focus on advanced innovation and raw-material security outside China. Discussions are reportedly at an advanced stage, with an agreement expected to be finalised by March 2026. Once operational, the JV is expected to reduce costs and strengthen localisation, crucial in a competitive global battery market.

China continues to dominate battery-cell production and critical materials such as lithium, graphite, and separators. India has expressed a clear intent to diversify its supply chains, and JSW’s venture is among several domestic efforts to create a localised alternative.

Traditionally known for its steel, energy, and infrastructure businesses, JSW is expanding into the mobility and renewable-energy sectors. By controlling battery-cell production, the company aims to secure supplies for its EV and energy-storage units and protect itself from geopolitical or logistical disruptions.

Analysts believe the partnership’s success will depend on effective technology transfer, cost competitiveness, and rapid scaling to meet domestic demand. With India’s EV and energy-storage markets poised for strong growth, JSW’s initiative could become a model for reducing China dependence while leveraging expertise from Japan and South Korea.