Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday, emphasised India as the next hub for semiconductor manufacturing, highlighting its stable, responsible, and reform-oriented government, large talent pool, and improving infrastructure that the industry can leverage.
Inaugurating the SemiconIndia 2023 conference in Gujarat’s capital, Modi expressed how chip companies’ perceptions of India have drastically changed since the first edition of the industry event held last year. The question has transformed over a period of one year from “why invest in India” to “why not invest in India,” the PM said, crediting the “directional change” in the view to “the efforts of the industry leaders.”
The impact of the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war has highlighted the world’s need for a reliable supply chain, and in this context, PM Modi asked, “Who can be a more trusted partner than the world’s largest democracy?”
Meanwhile, US fabless chip maker AMD announced its commitment to invest $400 million to set up a new research and development design center in Bengaluru. Chief Technology Officer Mark Paper master revealed the investment plan during the semiconductor conference in Gandhinagar. Over the next five years, AMD intends to hire 3,000 engineers for its unit.
PM Modi spoke highly of India’s growing infrastructure in every sector, leading to the industry’s faith in the country. The tech sector believes in India as technology is flourishing here, and the semiconductor industry trusts India due to its massive talent pool.
Highlighting India’s exponential growth in electronics manufacturing, PM Modi mentioned how the industry has grown from less than $30 billion in 2014 to more than $100 billion now. Once an importer of mobile phones, India is now manufacturing and exporting the best mobile phones globally. The PM also celebrated the sharp increase in the number of mobile manufacturing units, broadband, and Internet users in the country, as they signify India’s progress and indicate growing businesses in the nation.
In a significant development, over 300 prominent colleges in India have been identified to offer courses on semiconductors, aimed at empowering engineers in this domain. Additionally, the Chips to Startups program will support and boost innovation in the semiconductor sector.
Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, shared insights on India’s semiconductor mission, stating that each dimension of the semiconductor ecosystem will be carefully nurtured to differentiate it from other countries’ plans. India is poised to approve two chip manufacturing fabs within the next 12 months.
Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, asserted that there is no longer any skepticism about India’s semiconductor mission. Instead, people are now eagerly discussing the roadmap for a fab, awaiting proposals, and anticipating new developments in the semiconductor industry over the next 12 months.
The emphasis on India’s potential as a semiconductor manufacturing hub is a testament to the nation’s efforts to strengthen its position in the global technology landscape. With strong government support, industry collaboration, and growing talent, India is gearing up to play a significant role in the semiconductor sector’s growth and innovation.
This renewed focus on semiconductor manufacturing aligns with India’s vision of becoming a global manufacturing and technology powerhouse. By creating a conducive environment for innovation, talent development, and industry investments, India aims to bolster its presence in the semiconductor market and contribute to the advancement of technology on a global scale.
With supportive policies and initiatives, India is well-positioned to attract investments and partnerships from leading chip companies worldwide. As the semiconductor industry continues to evolve, India’s contributions are expected to become even more critical in shaping the future of technology and driving digital transformation across industries.
As India embarks on this semiconductor journey, the world is watching closely, eager to witness the nation’s ascent as a key player in the global technology landscape. With determination, innovation, and collaborative efforts, India is on track to redefine its role in the semiconductor industry and secure its place as a trailblazer in the era of advanced technology.
