Events marking the half-century relationship between WIPO and India and the country’s growth and innovation journey were at the heart of a four-day visit to India by Director General Daren Tang that wrapped up on May 2, 2025. In a series of meetings with Government officials, industry representatives and other stakeholders, Mr. Tang highlighted the country’s IP journey as one of remarkable resilience, growth and dynamism, that is an inspiration for many other countries.
The Director General’s visit coincided with the 50th anniversary of the day that India joined WIPO on May 1, 1975. Mr. Tang noted in his meetings that this chapter in India’s history has seen extraordinary developments in India’s IP, innovation and creative ecosystem. He pledged WIPO’s continued support to India in the next 50 years and beyond.
After a series of meetings in Delhi, Mr. Tang attended India’s inaugural World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit - WAVES - in Mumbai.
Delhi Engagements
- Met with NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery to discuss innovation-driven growth and R&D commercialization.
- Discussed bilateral cooperation between India and WIPO with Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia at the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
- Signed a letter of intent with Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks Unnat P Pandit of the Indian IP Office on WIPO support in the area of IP analytics, including developing it’s IP analytics capacity and their own newly established IP Analytics Division.
- Spoke at the CII Innovation Summit, noting India's growth in IP filings in the past decade.
- Attended the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry's World IP Day event and spoke about the growing creative economy in India and around the world.
Mumbai Engagements
- Participated in the inaugural World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES).
- Attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at WAVES, who emphasized India's creative potential and "Orange Economy."
- Took part in a panel discussion at WAVES on copyright and the creative economy.
- Met with Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, agreeing to support the newly established Indian Institute of Creative Technologies.
- Discussed digital innovation with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
- Spoke at Jio Platforms' IP event, highlighting the importance of strong IP foundations for building a future-ready digital landscape. Met Senior Vice President Aayush Bhatnagar to talk about how Indian companies are embracing innovation for business growth.