PhonePe has entered into a strategic tie-up with Xiaomi India, pre-installing its Indus Appstore on all Xiaomi devices sold in India. This tie-up is a major move towards growing India's indigenous app ecosystem and lessening reliance on international app stores.
	 
	Major points:
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		Indus Appstore, designed by PhonePe, is India's alternative app marketplace to those that are generally known, showcasing curated apps along with localized content.
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		The arrangement fits into the Indian government's initiative for being self-reliant in the digital infrastructure space.
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		Xiaomi India, the top smartphone maker, will place the app store in its smartphones from mid-2025 onward.
	 
	The initiative is likely to improve user experience through hassle-free access to Indian apps and fostering local developers. It also confirms PhonePe's status as an important player within India's digital space and a demonstration of Xiaomi's willingness to evolve to fit local market demand.
	 
	Sources: PhonePe press release, Xiaomi India statement, Economic Times, March 13, 2025