Reliance-Hithium Talks Highlight India's Battery Technology Challenges Amid Export Controls

In January 2026, reports emerged that Chinese startup Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology Co. withdrew from technology-sharing talks with Reliance Industries, citing Beijing's export controls on battery technology. Reliance denied any disruption to its battery manufacturing plans, while Hithium neither confirmed nor denied discussions had stalled. The episode highlights India's reliance on foreign technology in critical sectors, revealing structural vulnerabilities despite Reliance's significantly larger scale compared to Hithium.