Heads of Samsung, India’s Reliance explore comprehensive partnership
Mukesh Ambani, second from left, chairman of India's largest conglomerate Reliance Industries, arrives at Seoul Gimpo Business Aviation Center in Gangseo District, Tuesday. Third from left is his eldest son Akash Ambani. Newsis
Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong met with Mukesh Ambani, chairman of India’s largest conglomerate Reliance Industries, in Seoul and explored ideas on expanding the two sides’ comprehensive partnership to future industries.
Ambani and his eldest son Akash, board chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm, visited Korea for a meeting with Lee and other Samsung affiliate CEOs at Samsung Electronics' office in Seocho District, Seoul.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways of expanding their cooperation in emerging businesses including semiconductors, communication, data centers and batteries.
Particularly, Samsung Group presented Chairman Ambani with a pack of next-generation technologies under development across its affiliates, including artificial intelligence (AI), extended reality, semiconductor foundry, AI data centers, next-generation communications, advanced displays, cloud services, batteries, plant construction and engineering.
Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, back row center, poses with officials of Samsung Electronics India in Mumbai, July 13, 2024. During the trip, Lee attended the the wedding ceremony of Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani. Courtesy of Samsung Electronics
In recent years, Reliance Industries has been expanding its business portfolio beyond its traditional chemical and retail sectors into ICT, raising expectations for greater collaboration with Samsung in areas such as semiconductors, telecommunications, displays, batteries and engineering.
The Indian conglomerate also plans to establish large-scale AI data centers powered by renewable energy sources, positioning Samsung as its strategic partner in data centers, 6G communication technology, batteries and other future growth businesses.
The two sides’ cooperation is expected to pick up momentum for 6G communication technology.
Samsung and Reliance Industries have maintained close ties for over a decade. In 2012, Samsung signed a deal to build a 4G network for Reliance Jio Infocomm, India’s largest telecom operator, and later expanded their partnership by supplying 5G radio access network equipment in 2022.
Samsung Group said it expects to further strengthen cooperation with Reliance Industries in supplying 6G network equipment, building AI data centers and providing energy storage systems for data center operations.
During Ambani’s visit, executives from Samsung Electronics, Samsung Display, Samsung SDI, Samsung C&T, Samsung Heavy Industries and other affiliates introduced their businesses, and the chairman experienced Samsung’s new technologies including the Galaxy XR and Micro RGB display. Lee, Ambani and other executives also had dinner together on Tuesday.
It was the first meeting between Lee and Ambani since July last year, when Lee attended the wedding ceremony of Ambani’s youngest son Anant in Mumbai. Lee also attended the weddings of Ambani’s daughter Isha in 2018 and Akash in 2019. The owner families of Samsung and Reliance Industries have maintained a close relationship since the tenure of the late Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee.