Marketplace Morning Report: Amazon Announces Mega Investment in India

Date: December 10, 2025
Host: William Lee Adams
Guests: Archana Shukla (BBC Delhi Correspondent), Paul Adams (BBC), Katie Raine (Atlantic Bastion Program Manager), General Sir Gwyn Jenkins (First Sea Lord)

Episode Overview

This episode delivers the essential business and economic news of the morning, focusing on Amazon’s massive new investment commitment in India, the country’s surging prominence in global tech, and the UK's efforts to counter undersea threats from Russia. With expert commentary and breaking news segments, this edition keeps listeners up to speed on latest market movements and geopolitical developments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Amazon's $35 Billion Investment in India

[00:58–03:30]

• Amazon’s Commitment:

  • Amazon announces plans to invest an additional $35 billion in India by 2030, doubling its previous investment ($40 billion by 2024).
  • Focus areas: artificial intelligence and e-commerce.

• Strategic Importance of India:

  • India boasts almost a billion internet users and over 750 million smartphone users—a rapidly growing digital market with a substantial middle class.
  • The tech titans (Microsoft, Google, Amazon) are racing to leverage India’s expanding consumer base and skilled workforce.

  “This is a market that Amazon is really eyeing because of the large rapid Internet user base here.”
  — Archana Shukla [01:35]

• Global Tech Investment Patterns:

  • US companies are reducing investments in China, partly due to ongoing tensions.
  • India is emerging as a principal “China plus one” alternative, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s ambitions.

  “US China tensions are driving some of these companies to look to diversify... India is stepping up to show that they can be the next alternative to China.”
  — Archana Shukla [02:52]

• India’s Challenges:

  • Infrastructure and regulatory improvements are needed for India to fully capitalize on these investments.

Global Market Highlights

[03:32–03:59]

• Silver Soars:

  • Silver prices hit all-time highs, up 1.2% to over $61—more than double since the start of the year due to tech sector demand.

• Nintendo’s Stock Slump:

  • Nintendo shares fall 2.6% to their lowest since May, with $14 billion in value lost in December amid concerns over rising memory chip costs.

UK Responds to Russian Undersea Threats

[03:59–07:02]

• Royal Navy’s New Initiative — Atlantic Bastion:

  • The UK is intensifying protection of critical undersea infrastructure (cables, pipelines) against Russian threats.
  • Adoption of AI-powered underwater drones (e.g., SG1 fathom made by Helsing), capable of long-endurance autonomous patrols.

  “The AI embedded in the glider processes and identifies those threats more quickly than we’ve been able to do previously.”
  — Katie Raine [04:51]

• Wider Security Network:

  • Atlantic Bastion integrates drones, warships, and surveillance aircraft.
  • Includes pilotless helicopters, crewless speedboats, and experimental submarines.

• Geopolitical Context:

  • Recent Russian naval activity near UK waters has heightened risk perceptions.
  • The UK Defence Secretary (John Healey) underscores a significant uptick in Russian vessels "poking around."

  “We know the threat that Russia poses... and we know they are developing new capabilities all the time.”
  — John Healey [06:36]

• Military Caution:

  • First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins stresses the need to maintain a technological lead but admits the competition has intensified.

  “We’re still ahead in the Atlantic, but it’s not by as much of an advantage as I would like.”
  — Gen. Sir Gwyn Jenkins [06:50]

Notable Quotes

• On the digital potential of India:

  “Almost a billion people are online here in India and this is a market that Amazon is wanting to exploit more.”
  — Archana Shukla [01:40]

• On India as a China alternative:

  “India is stepping up to show that they can be the next alternative to China.”
  — Archana Shukla [02:56]

• On the UK’s defensive response:

  “I think we are being pressed, and we’re definitely in a competition to stay ahead of where the Russians are.”
  — Gen. Sir Gwyn Jenkins [06:54]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Amazon India Investment & Analysis: 00:58–03:30
• Global Markets Update: 03:32–03:59
• UK Navy Countering Russian Threats: 03:59–07:02

This episode provides a snapshot of the evolving tech investment landscape in India, the shifting dynamics between the US, China, and India, and the UK’s high-tech response to escalating undersea threats from Russia. The tone remains analytical yet accessible, making complex developments comprehensible for the business-minded listener.