India's Semiconductor Ambitions: PM Modi Spearheads 'Silicon Diplomacy' at Semicon India 2024

Semiconductor is basis of digital age: Modi on eve of Semicon India

In the 90-minute meeting, which comes on the eve of SEMICON India, the prime minister laid down the vision for the semiconductor ecosystem in India. Stating that semiconductor is the basis of the digital age, Modi emphasised that the day is not far when the semiconductor industry will be the bedrock for even basic necessities, according to a statement from his office. He also explained to the sector representatives what the industry can expect from India Semiconductor Mission 2.0. He added that ISM 2.0 will have an allocation of about $15 billion and is currently awaiting final cabinet approval. It will focus more on developing the supply chain for semiconductors by concentrating on raw materials, gases, equipment, lead frames, substrates, and chemicals, he said. The government had launched the initial scheme to incentivise semiconductor manufacturing in December 2021 with an outlay of ₹76,000 crore. Now dubbed ISM 1.0, it focussed on setting up ATMP (assembly, testing, marking and packaging) and fabrication units. The roundtable was attended by Union IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and minister of state for electronics and IT Jitin Prasada. Chief executives and representatives from companies such as US' Micron, Synopsys, Cadence, Jacobs, Teradyne, Applied Materials, and Lam Research; Taiwan's PSMC; Netherlands' NXP Semiconductors; Belgium's IMEC; Japan's Renesas, Tokyo Electron, Rapidus, HSR, and Advantest; and India's CG Power, Kaynes Technology, Tate Electronics, Infineon attended this roundtable. "We are very impressed with the new vision that beyond manufacturing, PM Modi also wants to invest in long-term R&D. From our side, we want to form a very strategic partnership to enable India also to become strong in R&D," IMEC CEO Luc Van den hove said after the meeting. Sanjay Mehrotra, CEO Micron, lauded Modi's policies to incentivise semiconductor manufacturing in India. "It is the perfect time to develop semiconductor opportunities in India because as AI [artificial intelligence] grows, opportunities will increase," he added. Bob Pragada, CEO of Jacobs, said: "I think what the prime minister is doing right now to elevate India on a global scale is what not only India needs is what the world needs, for India to be at the forefront of the manufacture renaissance that is about to happen." During the day, the executives met at Bharat Mandapam for a summit where Vaishnaw reassured the executives that the government would continue to offer both fiscal and non-fiscal support for the semiconductor ecosystem even as the industry matures in the country. At the executives' summit, about 50 top honchos from semiconductor companies, including the CEOs of NXP, Cadence, Synopsys and IMEC, gave short presentations on how India can be a catalyst for the semiconductor ecosystem and global supply chain, and how their companies can contribute. This was followed by a closed-door lunch with Vaishnaw and IT secretary S Krishnan. Modi will inaugurate the three-day SEMICON India 2024, which will showcase India's semiconductor strategy and policy, in Greater Noida on Wednesday.

PM Modi promotes 'Silicon Diplomacy' to propel India's semiconductor sector

With India's electronics sector now valued at over $150 billion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday outlined a larger goal to grow the sector to $500 billion and create six million jobs by the end of this decade and said the world today is moving forward to an era of 'Silicon Diplomacy' from an era of 'Oil Diplomacy'. Speaking at the inaugural session of Semicon India 2024, he said that this growth will directly benefit India's semiconductor sector. "Our goal is that 100 per cent of electronic manufacturing should happen in India. India will make semiconductor chips and the finished product too." Welcoming the global semiconductor manufacturers at the event, he said, "This is the right time to be in India. You are at the right place at the right time. In 21st-century India, the chips are never down...When the chips are down, you can bet on India." Modi Informed that India's contribution to the world of design is 20 per cent and is growing continuously. India is creating a semiconductor workforce of 85,000 technicians, engineers, and R&D experts. Pointing out the numerous steps taken by the government to promote semiconductor manufacturing, he highlighted that the government is offering 50 per cent financial support for setting up semiconductor manufacturing facilities, with State governments also playing a key role in this effort. Semiconductor investments "Because of these policies, India has attracted investments worth more than ₹ 1.5 lakh crore in a very short time and many more projects are in the pipeline. Our dream is that every device in the world will have an Indian-made chip," he said reiterating India's ambition to do whatever it takes to become a semiconductor powerhouse. He also said that India is focused on making its students and professionals industry ready, recalling the first meeting of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation which aims to give new direction and energy to India's research ecosystem. He also mentioned a special research fund of ₹1 lakh crore. Modi also informed us that India has been chosen as Vice Chair of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework's Supply Chain Council and is a key partner in the QUAD Semiconductor Supply Chain Initiative. Additionally, agreements have been signed with countries like Japan and Singapore, and India is deepening its cooperation with the United States in the semiconductor sector. "India's semiconductor ecosystem is a solution not just for India's challenges but also for global challenges...whether it was Covid or war, there hasn't been a single industry to remain unaffected by supply chain disruptions," he noted. The Prime Minister expressed confidence in India's ability to strengthen global efforts and extended his best wishes to all stakeholders involved in this mission. "Whether it is mobile manufacturing, electronics, or semiconductors, our focus is clear -- we want to build a world that doesn't stop or pause in times of crisis but keeps moving forward," he added. Semiconductor manufacturing On Tuesday, Modi also chaired a roundtable with the executives of semiconductor manufacturers. They discussed a wide range of subjects related to the sector, including how this sector can further out planet's development trajectory. The CEOs appreciated India's commitment to the growth of the semiconductor sector and said that what has transpired today is unprecedented, wherein leaders of the entire semiconductor sector have been brought under one roof. For instance, Sanjay Mehrotra, CEO of Micron said, "This is the perfect timing for India's semiconductor mission, to develop semiconductor opportunities, because AI will grow, opportunities will increase and I really believe that the best is yet to come." Ajit Manocha, CEO of Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI), said that the industry wants to become a trusted partner with India, and this industry will double its revenue to $1 trillion, which has not happened in the past so many years. Kurt Sievers, CEO of NXP said, he was happy with Modi's vision, consistency, and foresight into what is needed from a semiconductor industry ecosystem development perspective for India. SHARE Copy linkEmailFacebookTwitterTelegramLinkedInWhatsAppRedditPublished on September 11, 2024

PM Narendra Modi at SEMICON India 2024: "In the 21st-century Bharat, the chips are never..." - Times of India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (September 11) inaugurated the Semicon India summit at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida. He addressed the gathering, saying that it is "the right time" for the chipmakers across the globe to invest in India. "You are at the right time, at the right place. In the 21st-century Bharat, the chips are never down! And it's not just that, today's Bharat assures the world -- When the chips are down, you can bet on India!" he told the gathering in his keynote speech. PM says India preparing a semiconductor workforce Modi said that the country contributes 20% of the talent in the world of designing, and it is continually expanding.He noted that investments worth more than Rs 1.5 trillion have been made in this sector, and many projects are currently in the pipeline. "We are preparing a semiconductor workforce of 85,000 technicians, engineers, and R&D experts. Bharat's focus is on making its students and professionals ready for the semiconductor industry," he highlighted. Modi said that India's mantra is 'Increasing the number of chips produced in India' and for that, the government has taken steps to advance semiconductor manufacturing. The government is providing 50% support for setting up semiconductor manufacturing facilities in the country even as state governments are providing additional support in this regard. "The Semicon India Program is also an excellent initiative. Under this program, financial support is being provided for front-end fabs, display fabs, semiconductor packaging, compound semiconductors, sensors, and display manufacturing," Modi added. The PM also said that his dream is "for every device in the world to have an Indian-made chip. Bharat will do whatever is necessary to become a semiconductor powerhouse". Modi said India's semiconductor ecosystem provides solutions not only to domestic challenges but also to global ones. The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk's news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.

"Never-before-seen level of industry-government collaboration," CEOs hail govt's effort for semiconductor ecosystem

Ahead of the SEMICON India 2024, PM Modi chaired the Semiconductor Executives' Roundtable at his residence on Tuesday. After the meeting with the Prime Minister, the CEOs appreciated the country's commitment to the growth of the semiconductor sector and said that what has transpired today is unprecedented, wherein leaders of the entire semiconductor sector have been brought under one roof. Sanjay Mehrotra, CEO of Micron said that PM Modi's vision of developing semiconductors in India and increasing self-reliance is very exciting and the policy set up by Prime Minister Modi to incentivise semiconductor manufacturing in India is also very very exciting. "This is the perfect timing for India's semiconductor mission, to develop semiconductor opportunities, because AI will grow, opportunities will increase and I really believe that the best is yet to come", he added. Ajit Manocha, CEO, SEMI said that there's no parallel to the Prime Minister's leadership and that it is exceptional. He said that it has not just inspired India but the entire world. "Modi's leadership thinks it's so nice that the whole world is coming with me to this summit", he added. Kurt Sievers, CEO NXP said that he is extremely excited and delighted by Prime Minister Modi's vision, consistency and foresight into what is needed from a semiconductor industry ecosystem development perspective for India. He said that he has not met a single world leader with such deep expertise in the Semiconductor industry as the Prime Minister. Randhir Thakur, CEO, TEPL said that the Semiconductor industry is really excited about the vision of the Prime Minister and how he's looking at the digital infrastructure for the future of our country. He said that semiconductors will play an important role in Viksit Bharat. Bob Pragada, CEO, Jacobs said that the work being done by the Prime Minister to elevate India on the global scale is something that not only India but what the world needs. "India to be at the forefront of the manufacturing renaissance. That's about to happen. I think within the next decade, India can be a leader on the world scale", he added. Hidetoshi Shibata, CEO, Renesas said that the Prime Minister's message is always simple and clear, so we know what he wants. "Absolute clarity always helps, makes very agile and fast progress", he added. Luc Van Den Hove, CEO of IMEC said that he is extremely impressed with the leadership shown by the Prime Minister. He lauded the Prime Minister's commitment and dedication to making India a powerhouse in the area of semiconductor technology. He also expressed satisfaction with the Prime Minister's long-term R&D vision beyond manufacturing. He Reached out to form a very strategic partnership to enable India to become strong in R & D. Russell C Ellwanger, CEO, Tower said he thought the Prime Minister's vision and the execution thereof is one of a kind, truly commendable. Anirudh Devgan, CEO, Cadence said it's really good to see Prime Minister Modi's leadership over the last few years. He said semiconductor is essential technology for all digital industries. And with Modi Ji's leadership, there is a big momentum compared to three years ago. He said he has been fortunate to be involved in it from the beginning and it's really positive to see every year there is big improvement. Sassine Ghazi, President & CEO, Synopsys said in the last two, three years, the enthusiasm and the focus around the sector with clear strategy of how to and where to invest from design all the way to manufacturing. He said right now what he is seeing, the interest, is to go from an engineering center to create products for both local and global consumption. Prof Arogyaswami Paulraj, Emeritus Stanford University said he must say that India has taken a huge step forward in the semiconductor industry. "A lot of energy, a lot of progress, and it's really the honorable Prime Minister's vision and drive that has made it happen", he added. Vellayan Subbiah, Chairman, CG Power said that it is a really exciting time for the semiconductor industry and that this is just the beginning. He also predicted India getting to an unprecedented level and lauded the never-before-seen level of industry-government collaboration. Prof Pradeep Khosla - Chancellor, UCSD said the Prime Minister has shown an amazing vision in the Semiconductor Mission. He said no administration in the history of this country had the courage to create a right policy when it came to semiconductors and he was so glad that the Prime Minister has his vision and he has a commitment and I'm confident he's gonna make us succeed. (ANI)

Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates SEMICON® India 2024, Signaling India's Rise as a Global Semiconductor Hub

SEMI launches its Workforce Development Program in India to address the global talent gap and make youth job-readySEMICON India 2024, the region's premier semiconductor event, commenced today with a grand inauguration presided over by Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the India Exposition Mart Ltd. (IEML) in Greater Noida. Organized by SEMI in partnership with Messe München India, MeitY, India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and Digital India, the event underscores India's emergence as a global semiconductor powerhouse. SEMICON India 2024 brings leading global semiconductor industry companies to exhibit and present on addressing key challenges such as talent shortages, supply chain redesign, and sustainability concerns.As part of its ongoing efforts to accelerate India's semiconductor growth, SEMI has officially launched its Workforce Development Program in India with a recent workshop on Semiconductor Manufacturing, held in partnership with ESSCI at IIT Delhi. The program emphasizes collaboration with educational institutions to create specialized curricula for semiconductor design roles and co-develop skill development initiatives. Addressing the global talent gap in the semiconductor industry, the launch aims to equip India's robust engineering pipeline with the necessary skills to be job-ready for the fast-growing sector.SEMICON India features additional SEMI programs to advance industry growth, such as Sustainability and Smart Manufacturing, supporting the favorable regulatory policies by the ISM and the Government of India and facilitating global investments to strengthen India's position in the industry. Representatives from Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Assam, Karnataka, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu will showcase their vision and policies designed to attract significant investments and drive growth, further highlighting India's collective ambition to become a key player in the global semiconductor landscape.In his address, Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the semiconductor industry's critical role in India's technological advancement and reaffirmed the government's commitment to strengthening the sector.Echoing this sentiment, Ajit Manocha, SEMI President and CEO, said, "India is on the path to becoming the next semiconductor powerhouse in Asia, and the stars are now aligned to create an ecosystem that enables growth for India and the world. With AI fueling global semiconductor demand, around 150 new fabs will be required to meet the industry's ambitious $1 trillion target by 2030. India will need to achieve exponential growth to maximize its share, and SEMICON India will help to catalyze this market, augmenting ISM's roadmap and favorable policies.""India is projected to face a workforce shortage of 250,000 to 300,000 professionals by 2027; upskilling India's raw talent to meet this demand is crucial, and global players have a vital role in this effort," Manocha said. "In partnership with leading Indian institutions, SEMI aims to address this talent gap by equipping the future workforce with the necessary skills and expertise to thrive in the evolving semiconductor landscape.""India Semiconductor Mission, Ministry of Electronics & IT, and Government of India are committed to a diversified and resilient semiconductor supply chain," said ISM CEO Shri Akash Tripathi. "In the last 32 months, ISM has placed India in the semiconductor manufacturing map of the world, with four semiconductor manufacturing facilities coming up with a total investment of over USD 17 billion. With a very strong talent pipeline and strong resolve of GoI to support the development of the semiconductor industry in India, I am sure we will be successful in becoming a trusted partner in the global value chain of semiconductors in the coming years." SEMICON India 2024, co-located with electronica India and productronica India, features over 250 exhibitors, of which over 140 are international exhibitors, including global leaders such as SEMI, NXP, Foxconn, PSMC, Renesas, Tata Electronics, CG Power, Applied Materials and Cadence. Attendees will explore innovations in smart manufacturing, supply chain management, sustainability, and workforce development during the three-day event. Program Sessions and Participating CompaniesAdvanced Packaging - Experts will discuss how 2.5D and 3D integration enable chiplets to be optimized for different functions while highlighting the role of heterogeneous integration in developing next-generation devices for artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and other demanding applications. Participating companies include AMD, Applied Materials, BESI, KLA and Western Digital.Design / EDA - This session will explore the march of technology in chip design and how tool vendors are evolving to equip designers with the capabilities needed to create and verify the next generation of chips. Participating companies include Breker Verification Systems, Cadence, Micron, Real Intent, Siemens and Synopsys.Flexible Hybrid Electronics (FHE) - Speakers will delve into the latest advancements in FHE, focusing on advanced packaging techniques and healthcare applications while exploring market opportunities and the importance of environmental sustainability. Participating companies and organizations include Elephantech, ITC Packaging, MeitY, National Centre for Flexible Electronics, and Reddy Laboratories Ltd.Smart Manufacturing - This program will feature presentations showcasing real-world applications of technology areas like automation, data utilization with AI and machine learning, and digital twins, providing attendees with a clear path towards integrating them into their own operations. Participating companies include Ansys, Applied Materials, Lam Research, Micron and Tata Electronics.Smart MedTech - Experts will explore how advanced medical electronics and semiconductors are transforming patient care and healthcare supply chains, featuring insights into cutting-edge technologies and solutions for preventative care.Supply Chain Management - This session aims to provide a holistic overview of the current landscape, challenges, and opportunities in the semiconductor supply chain in India, featuring insights from industry leaders in device manufacturing, semiconductor equipment manufacturing, and materials providers. Participating companies include Applied Materials, Lam Research, Tata Electronics, and TechInsights.Sustainability - Experts will analyze sustainability vulnerabilities in the semiconductor industry, highlight existing resources that can be readily implemented, and explore innovative solutions to unsolved challenges. Participating companies and organizations include Applied Materials, Electramet, MeitY, and Merck.Workforce Development -This session will offer a comprehensive overview of semiconductor workforce development in India with insights from industry leaders, educators, and government officials. Participants will review and adapt successful global initiatives to the Indian context and explore potential partnerships with local educational institutions, government agencies, and NGOs. Participating companies and organizations include AICTE, Applied Materials, ESSCI, and Micron.In addition to the above, parallel sessions are planned themed around design ecosystem by Qualcomm, R&D for advanced packaging, and taxation regime of India.For more details, please visit www.semiconindia.org and connect with SEMI India on LinkedIn and X (#SEMICONIndia). SEMICON India Organization and PartnersSEMICON India 2024 is organized by SEMI, the global industry association representing the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain, in partnership with India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), and Messe München India, the Indian subsidiary of Messe München GmbH and a leading organizer of trade fairs in India. The SEMICON India 2024 program has been developed in partnership with the Electronic Industries Association of India (ELCINA) and with support from the India Electronics & Semiconductor Association (IESA) and India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA).