PM calls chips 21st century’s ‘digital diamonds’

New Delhi, Sep 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated Semicon India – 2025 at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi, pitching India as a global hub for semiconductor innovation and manufacturing.

The three-day conference brings together industry leaders, global CEOs, policymakers, start-ups, and students to shape India’s semiconductor roadmap. Welcoming delegates from more than 40 countries, PM Modi said the strong international presence reflected global trust in India’s capabilities. “The world believes in India and is ready to build the semiconductor future with us,” he said.

The Prime Minister highlighted India’s economic momentum, noting the 7.8% GDP growth in the first quarter of the year despite global headwinds. “India has outperformed every expectation, every estimate, and every forecast,” he remarked, adding that growth was visible across manufacturing, services, agriculture, and construction. Calling semiconductors the “digital diamonds” of the 21st century, PM Modi stressed their strategic importance. He noted that the global semiconductor market, currently at $600 billion, is expected to cross $1 trillion in the coming years, and asserted that India is poised to secure a significant share. Outlining the progress of the Semicon India programme launched in 2021, the Prime Minister said ten semiconductor projects worth over $18 billion (₹1.5 lakh crore) are underway.

He cited recent approvals, ongoing pilot plants by companies like CG Power and Kaynes, and test production at Micron and Tata as evidence of India’s rapid strides.

Emphasising speed and ease of doing business, PM Modi said the government had streamlined approvals through the National Single Window System and was developing plug-and-play semiconductor parks with connectivity, infrastructure, and skilled workforce access. Incentives under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) and Design Linked Incentive (DLI) schemes, he said, are helping India move from backend operations to becoming a “full-stack semiconductor nation.” The Prime Minister also underscored India’s focus on design, packaging, and critical minerals, noting that domestic design centres in Noida and Bengaluru are working on advanced chips for next-generation technologies. He urged start-ups and MSMEs to play a bigger role, announcing a restructuring of the DLI scheme and promising government support to create Indian intellectual property in the sector.

“India has reached this stage by following the mantra of Reform, Perform, and Transform. Now, a new phase of next-generation reforms will soon begin,” PM Modi said, inviting global investors to join the mission. “The day is not far when the world will say: Designed in India, Made in India, Trusted by the World.” Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Jitin Prasada, along with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, were present at the inauguration.

Semicon India 2025 conference is running from September 2–4, focusing on building a resilient and sustainable semiconductor ecosystem. More than 20,750 participants are expected, including 2,500 delegates from 48 countries, 150 speakers, and over 350 exhibitors. Dedicated pavilions will showcase start-ups, workforce initiatives, and country-level partnerships.