VINOD BHAT
NEW DELHI, Sept 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated Semicon India 2025 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, reaffirming India’s determination to emerge as a global hub for semiconductor innovation and manufacturing. The three-day international conference brings together industry leaders, innovators, researchers, and policymakers from more than 48 countries, underscoring India’s growing importance in the global technology ecosystem.
Addressing a packed hall of CEOs, global dignitaries, start-up entrepreneurs, and students, the Prime Minister declared that the world’s trust in India is at an all-time high. “The World trusts India, the World believes in India and the World is ready to build the Semiconductor Future with India,” he asserted, setting the tone for India’s ambitions in this critical sector.
Fresh from his visit to Japan and China, Shri Modi recalled his recent tour of the Tokyo Electron factory with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, underlining his longstanding passion for technology. He welcomed the participation of over 2,500 delegates, more than 150 speakers including 50 global leaders, and 350 exhibitors in what he described as a “historic congregation of ideas and innovation.”
‘Chips are Digital Diamonds’
Calling semiconductors the new foundation of global progress, the Prime Minister drew a stark comparison between oil and chips. “Oil was black gold, but chips are digital diamonds. The previous century was shaped by oil wells, but the 21st century is being powered by chips,” he said, highlighting the sector’s exponential growth, with the global semiconductor market expected to surpass $1 trillion in the coming years.
Shri Modi underscored India’s own rapid progress. Since the launch of the Semicon India programme in 2021, the country has cleared 10 semiconductor projects worth more than $18 billion (₹1.5 lakh crore). The Prime Minister announced that India’s first pilot chip plants—CG Power and Kaynes—have already commenced operations, with test chips from Micron and Tata in production. “The day is not far when the world will say – Designed in India, Made in India, Trusted by the World,” he said.
Ease of Business and Infrastructure Push
Highlighting the government’s approach of cutting red tape, Shri Modi said, “The lesser the paperwork, the sooner wafer work can begin.” He explained that the National Single Window System has streamlined approvals, while semiconductor parks with plug-and-play infrastructure are being developed across states, complete with land, power, ports, airports, and skilled manpower.
Incentives through the PLI scheme, Design Linked Incentive (DLI), and Chips-to-Startup programme were also spotlighted as part of India’s “end-to-end capabilities” strategy. Shri Modi called upon states to engage in “healthy competition” by developing dedicated semiconductor policies to attract investments.
Youth and Start-Up Power
The Prime Minister placed particular emphasis on the role of start-ups and youth in India’s semiconductor future. Noting that India already contributes 20 percent of the world’s semiconductor design talent, he urged young innovators to seize the moment. He announced a restructuring of the DLI scheme to better support start-ups and reiterated the government’s commitment to building Indian intellectual property (IP) in the chip sector.
“The smallest chip from India will soon drive the world’s biggest change,” he told young entrepreneurs, assuring that the government stands “shoulder to shoulder” with them.
Global Collaboration and Strategic Minerals
Acknowledging the global challenges of critical mineral dependency, Shri Modi highlighted the National Critical Mineral Mission, aimed at ensuring domestic supply of rare minerals essential for semiconductor production. He stressed that India’s semiconductor mission is not about a single fab or technology, but about creating a comprehensive, resilient ecosystem that supports design, manufacturing, packaging, and next-generation innovation.
“Design is ready. Mask is aligned. Now is the time for precision execution and delivery at scale,” the Prime Minister declared, assuring investors of India’s long-term policy commitment.
The Road Ahead
Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Jitin Prasada, along with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, were among the dignitaries present.
Semicon India 2025 will continue till September 4, featuring discussions on smart manufacturing, AI-driven chip design, international cooperation, R&D innovation, and state-level policy frameworks. The event also includes country pavilions, workforce development hubs, and start-up showcases, bringing together over 20,750 attendees in what is being billed as India’s largest semiconductor summit yet.
As Shri Modi concluded, he expressed hope that India’s journey in this critical sector would be “error-free and high-performance,” just like the chips it aspires to produce.
