Our mission in Mumbai was simple: learn from the companies that have cracked India’s demanding but rewarding market. Day 4 and 5 of the NICCI delegation delivered exactly that.
A business lunch above the city
Our strategic partner member Trilegal hosted an executive networking lunch at their wonderful One World Centre office in Lower Parel. Perfectly placed in the middle of Mumbai’s energy, noise, ambition and skyscraper construction. Delegates from Norway, NICCI company members based in India and key stakeholders participated.
This set the stage for the NICCI – Trilegal Success Story Session – two hours of real, unfiltered experience-sharing from organizations that have built serious scale in India: Rajan Maheshwari (TCS), Debromita Sen (ICICI Bank), Abhishek Daga (Nasher Miles), Dr. Pnsv Narasimham (Cyient), Annette Holte (Kongsberg Maritime) and Nikhil Mathew (Varya Tech) shared their insights and experiences with the delegation.
The session opened by welcome from Yogesh Singh, partner in Trilegal and our chairman Helge Tryti, followed by Fredrik Bjerke Abdelmaguid, Consul at the Norwegian Consulate General, giving us an intro to Norway’s India Strategy and how the new TEPA agreement will trigger a new wave of Norwegian success stories in India.
Trilegal partners Upsana Rao and Komal Dani curated a case-lineup with clear stories on winning in India’s tough market. I am sure no NICCI meeting has ever used the word success this many times.
The rest of the program was moderated by NICCI board member Navreet Kaur.
Though most conversations in these meetings stay between delegates and NICCI members present, we want to give you a glimpse of two of the stories.
The Kongsberg Maritime – Varya Tech joint venture
As Annette Holte shared on stage: the partnership KM formed in 2008 with Norinco (now Varya Tech) wasn’t just effective – it shaped the foundation of what became Kongsberg Maritime India, which now passes 200 employees. Guidance from George Mathew and later the collaboration with Nikhil Mathew created the trust and local insight needed to build something long-term. A textbook case of choosing the right partner at the right time. Now Varya Tech has had a more than successful exit – but the cooperation continues.
From dreams to billion dollar Cyient
Dr. Pnsv Narasimham visited us from Hyderabad to give us the story behind our member Cyient´s growth from 10 people in Hyderabad to being a multinational conglomerate of 17 000 employees today – also with activities in Norway.
An evening of networking
The program in Mumbai wrapped up with a networking reception hosted by Norwegian Consul General Monica Nagelgaard at her residence.
A great setting for making the best of contacts and important conversations. Delegates, NICCI members and local partners had time to discuss next steps and strengthen the network that is now rapidly expanding across India.
Mumbai Day 2 – a masterclass in entering India
Friday morning started with a masterclass by Sanmit Ahuja, President of Bharatia. Over 15 years, Bharatia has built one of the most effective market-entry engines in India – a structured route that gets foreign companies to real opportunities instead of endless “exploration loops”.
NICCI is now collaborating with this model to plug Norwegian companies directly into demand already on the table.
Our priority is unchanged: Connect Norwegian companies with real, concrete commercial opportunities.
Meeting with a legend
Delegates who stayed in Mumbai on Friday afternoon got a private, candid meeting with one of the most influential architects of India’s IT industry. A rare chance to understand how India built the powerhouse it is today. Harish Mehta, the author of the bestseller The Maverick Effekt, received us in The Imperial skyscraper complex in Mumbai’s Billionaire Row.
Thanks to NICCI member Raj Bains from DLA Piper for organizing, moderating the dialogue and hosting us for a sundowner with Antilia as a backdrop. You might want to Google it if you dont already know that Mumbai skyscraper – and want even one more success story!
Why Mumbai matters?
Mumbai doesn’t slow down. It doesn’t wait. It demands commitment.
But once you break through, the scale, speed and opportunity are unmatched.
For Norwegian companies ready to take the leap – the timing has never been better.