The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) represents the next generation of ground-based astronomical observatories. Driven by frontier science themes, TMT will offer 10 times the light-gathering power of the largest existing ground-based optical/near-infrared facilities, and will produce images 10 times more detailed than the Hubble Space Telescope. With this tremendous increase in power, TMT will deliver as yet unforeseen, groundbreaking discoveries about the Universe. In short, TMT will herald a new generation of telescopes and will serve its partner communities as a flagship research facility.

TMT is an international partnership involving India, the USA, Canada, Japan, and China. Three main institutes constitute TMT-India: The Aryabhatta Research Institute for Observational Sciences (Nainital), the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (Bangalore) and the Inter-University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics (Pune). The institutes are working closely with Indian industry to deliver key subsystems of the observatory, including polished segments of the main mirror, segment support assemblies, the onsite mirror re-coating facility, sensors and actuators for telescope controls, and software. These institutes also provide scientific input through their participation in the Scientific Advisory Committee.

In this talk I will provide an overview of the scientific goals and technical architecture of the observatory. I will provide a status report on the construction activities, and describe the important scientific and technical contributions that are being made by India. I will also describe the challenges towards setting up the governance and management of an international partnership, and the ways in which Indian leadership is fostering an effective and collaborative working partnership.