India’s Startup India Collaborates with Alibaba.com for Export Enablement (B2B)

The Indian government’s Startup India initiative has partnered with Alibaba.com to support Indian startups in onboarding and scaling small and medium exporters onto the platform, offering commissions and technical support to help them access over 50 million active buyers in 200+ countries. The collaboration comes after India’s 2020 bans on consumer-facing Chinese tech apps, reflecting a selective economic engagement with Alibaba’s B2B export capabilities. According to the latest Economic Survey, MSMEs account for nearly half of India’s exports and 31% of GDP, driving the government’s focus on expanding digital market access. Alibaba.com’s Trade Assurance program, introduced in India in June 2025, aims to reduce cross-border transaction risks with tools for payment protection and dispute resolution. Alibaba.com’s head of India business, Rocky Lu, noted the company’s two-decade presence in India and continued commitment to helping “Made in India” products scale globally through digital transformation. The initiative is part of India’s differentiated approach toward China, maintaining restrictions on consumer tech while enabling economic engagement where benefits are clear.