PM Modi Unveils Ambitious Plan: India Aims To Lead Asia’s Semiconductor Powerhouse
New Delhi, 29th July 2023: The Semicon India 2023 conference was ceremoniously inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 28th. The esteemed event took place at the Mahatma Mandir in the vibrant city of Gandhinagar, located in the state of Gujarat. During the event, he shared his vision for India to become a leading semiconductor powerhouse in Asia. To achieve this goal, PM Modi emphasized the necessity of revamping the engineering curriculum and nurturing a strong semiconductor ecosystem.
As a part of this endeavour, Prime Minister Modi announced the identification of over 300 prominent colleges in India where specialized semiconductor courses will be offered. This strategic move is anticipated to make a substantial contribution to the expansion and advancement of the semiconductor industry within the nation.
PM Modi stated that it is estimated that over the next 5 years, India will produce more than 1 lakh skilled design engineers. Additionally, he expressed confidence in India’s growing start-up ecosystem, which will further strengthen the semiconductor sector.
The initiative seeks to reduce India’s reliance on China for semiconductors and aims not only to meet domestic demands but also to establish India as a potential market leader in the industry. This move is considered a momentous turning point, not just for India but also globally. It is expected to provide a substantial boost to the ‘Make in India’ program and exert a significant influence on the semiconductor industry worldwide.
Dr Prabu Raja, President of the Semiconductor Product Group at Applied Materials, expressed his belief that India, driven by Prime Minister Modi’s strong vision, is poised to play a crucial role in the global semiconductor industry. He stressed the importance of collaborative partnerships in the sector to overcome challenges and act as catalysts for progress.
The focal point of the conference was ‘Catalysing India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem,’ where India’s semiconductor strategy and policies took centre stage, providing a prominent platform for their showcase. The ultimate goal of the event is to establish India as a global hub for semiconductor design, production, and technology development.
Several industry leaders shared their insights during the conference. Ajit Minocha, President, and CEO of SEMI, considered the initiative a pivotal moment in India’s history. He highlighted the positive alignment of geopolitics, internal politics, and private sector capacities, which has opened the door for India to enter the semiconductor manufacturing market. He also commended Micron’s historic investment in India, which is likely to pave the way for more corporations to follow suit.
