Retail to insurance: Amazon, Ambani's Jio prep for 'one fierce battle'

Jeff Bezos regards India as a key frontier for Amazon; he faces a homegrown champion backed by some of his fiercest US rivals

Amazon.com Inc. has begun making forays into everything from grocery delivery and insurance to drugs in India, setting up a monumental clash with Mukesh Ambani’s hard-charging Jio Platforms.

The US giant is fanning out at a pace not seen elsewhere in the world. Amazon is now delivering prescription and over-the-counter medicines and herbal remedies in Bangalore. It started last month selling car and motorbike insurance--a first for the Seattle-based online giant--claiming to finalise policies in under two minutes without paperwork.

It piloted a restaurant delivery service to Prime subscribers in parts of Bangalore last year. And it’s even reportedly unveiling