'When it comes to energy distribution, we are India's backbone'

Matthias Rebellius, CEO of Smart Infrastructure and Member of the Managing Board at Siemens AG, explains why India is important for the conglomerate and the role Siemens plays in the country

Nearly two centuries ago, a30-year-old inventor named Werner von Siemens set up shop in an inner courtyard behind a building on Berlin’s Sch6neberger Strasse. His first idea was anew design for the pointer telegraph. The company he set up has gone on to become a multibillion-dollar engineering conglomerate by the name of Siemens AG that recently celebrated 175 years at Berlin’s Siemensstadt Square, which is touted to be the German capital's district of the future. While Siemens now focusses on industry, infrastructure, transport and healthcare, according to Matthias Rebellius—CEO of Smart Infrastructure and Member of the Managing Board at Siemens AG—itis a technology company. In an interaction with Business Today's Tech Editor Aayush Ailawadiin Berlin, 57-year-old Rebellius talks about India’s smart cities project, EVs, the company’s plans in India and why the country is important for Siemens. Edited excerpts:

Q: It’s interesting that you refer to Siemens as atechnology company, because we tend to associate Siemens with hardware and engineering...

A: First of all, we have always been a technology company. I think, the term technology company’ has changed over time. And we have no reason to shy away from calling ourselves a technology company’. We are amongst the top 10 software companies in the world]. We have huge competence in areas that are important for the world. And therefore, I think we are one of the most important technology companies now]. We are perhaps not a software company or an internet company, but one of the most relevant technology companies in the world].

Q: What is your focus in India, given that the country is witnessing an infrastructure boom?