US Won't Let Even Its Closest Allies Be Autonomous

India is seeking to become a producer of semiconductors. The US, one of the world's major chips manufacturers, wants to present itself as India's partner in this field, but one expert is cautious about New Delhi, while stressing that the US doesn't want India to achieve its full potential.

In this week’s episode of the New Rules podcast, host Dimitri Simes Jr. speaks with Indian geopolitical analyst Abhijit Chavda about why the US is spearheading a covert, hybrid war against India.

"On the one hand, the United States want to support India against China, but on the other hand, they want to keep India destabilized and off-balance so that India doesn't rise too much and achieve its full potential. That's why I believe the Americans are okay with certain kinds of [anti-India] terrorists being sheltered on the territory of their closest allies", Chavda said.

Meanwhile, the semiconductor demand in India is worth around $24 billion, and as of now, all of it is imported. It is predicted that by 2025, the demand will increase up to $100 billion. Any nation that aims to be self-reliant needs to have its own semiconductor industry.

Stressing upon the same, Chavda said that India needs to have its own semiconductor manufacturing units and operating systems.

"It's going to be a hard, long road ahead. India is right now taking baby steps. I would say it's going to take at least 10 or 20 years for this to happen, for India to be able to wean itself off your perspective", Chavda said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2021 launched the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) with great anticipation to drive the growth of the industry in India, however, so far, it has not been able to get trusted partners in its kit.

Three applicants — US company Foxconn JV, IGSS Ventures and ISMC (Joint venture between the United Arab Emirates and Israel-based Tower Semiconductor), as well as ISMC — have submitted proposals to set up semiconductor companies. However, for an undisclosed reason, no companies are yet finalized.

Chavda also said that in the absence of in-house manufactured software chips in India, the US might be spying on India.

"US is well known to spy on everyone, including their closest allies. Be it Apple (IOS),or android, these are all American operating systems. Similarly, all chips in these phones and other devices, all comes from Taiwan (TSMC)". Chavda said.

"Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) limited is one of the major manufacturers of chips. And when you have a microchip you can insert backdoors into it, you can program it, can have certain functionality that nobody would be aware of except for the manufacturer. And we know Taiwan is essentially owned by the US, controlled by the US, it needs the US for its own survival. And now TSMC is being rebuilt in the US. And then Taiwan will kind of become redundant to a certain extent anyhow", Chavda cautioned.

India has so far has been unable to find a partner that could license the technology to manufacture 28-nanometre chips.

The expert said that India's goal to be self-reliant in the chip industry is its aim to be a developed nation.

"It would take one-two decades for India to be self-sufficient. However, I believe Russia has also taken certain steps in becoming self-sufficient when it comes to microchips and semiconductors. And, obviously in 20th century Russia was leading in super computer and computer stuff. Similarly, China is almost self-sufficient. India is now taking the steps", Chavda added.

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