The central government has put forth a remarkable proposal to invest a substantial $10 billion (INR 760 billion) in fostering a resilient semiconductor and display ecosystem, as a part of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).
Speaking at a session on "Learning from semiconductor supply shocks" at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2023 in Davos in January this year, Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav had described this investment as "just the first tranche" and said that more investments would be made as and when required.
Later in May this year, at an event organised by a media organisation, Vaishnav emphasised that India will become the largest semiconductor manufacturing destination in the world in the next five years.
Sputnik India interviewed Manish Rawat, a market research analyst at TechInsights, to gain insights on the feasibility of India's ambition to become the leading chip manufacturer globally.
Rawat told Sputnik India that while it is a highly ambitious and challenging endeavour, the goal of manufacturing all semiconductor chips in India is laudable and could have significant economic and strategic outcomes.
Emphasising that the public and private sectors must work together to make significant investments and create a robust ecosystem, Rawat said: "India has proven that it can thrive in several high-tech areas and with the right plan and execution, it can eventually become a major player in the semiconductor market."
Furthermore, he emphasised that India might have to collaborate with allies to achieve its goals in terms of technology and financial investment. However, it is probable that the nation will continue to depend on global supply chains for semiconductors in the future, as attaining complete self-sufficiency would involve a time-consuming process.
Furthermore, he noted that India's potential to emerge as the leading chip manufacturer worldwide will hinge upon a multitude of factors. These factors include the nation's strategic choices, investments, and the overall state of the global semiconductor market.
The market analyst highlighted the imminent challenges that await a South Asian country. Despite the government's commitment to advancing the semiconductor industry through its "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiatives, numerous obstacles lie ahead.
These challenges encompass infrastructure, expertise, supply chain dependencies, regulations, and global competitiveness. However, with tenacity and strategic measures, these hurdles can be triumphed over.
On a cautionary note, Rawat said it is important to remember that entering the semiconductor industry and succeeding in a highly competitive global market is a complex task that requires significant investment in infrastructure, skilled manpower and long-term research and development.
“By joining the biggest names in the semiconductor industry, India stands to get various advantages like economic expansion, technological advancement, strategic independence, increased national security, job creation, innovation, decreased reliance on imports, export potential, global authority, and establishing linked ecosystems etc,” Rawat added.
When asked how India will be positioned in the world in terms of power if it becomes a chip manufacturer, the market analyst said that it will significantly increase the country's power and influence in the world both in terms of economy and technology and will also strengthen the supply chain while enhancing national security.