Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Inaugurates SEMICON India 2024

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated SEMICON India 2024 at India Expo Mart in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, on September 11, 2024. The three-day conference, running from September 11 to 13, showcases India’s semiconductor strategy and policy with the aim of positioning the country as a global semiconductor hub.

Key Highlights of PM Modi’s Address

PM Modi expressed gratitude to SEMI members, noting that India is the eighth country to host such a global semiconductor event. He emphasized the current favorable timing for the semiconductor industry in India, stating, “In 21st-century India, the chips are never down.” Modi drew an analogy between the semiconductor industry and a diode, highlighting India’s role in providing stable policies and a conducive business environment. He praised India’s contributions to semiconductor design, mentioning the creation of a workforce of 85,000 professionals and a special research fund of Rs 1 trillion.

India’s Semiconductor Vision

Modi outlined India’s three-dimensional power in the semiconductor sector: a reformist government, a growing manufacturing base, and an aspirational market. He stressed the importance of the semiconductor industry in fulfilling national aspirations and improving last-mile delivery through digital infrastructure. Modi highlighted the government’s substantial financial support for semiconductor manufacturing, including 50% funding for facilities and initiatives to secure critical minerals needed for the industry.

International Collaborations and Future Goals

The Prime Minister emphasized India’s role in global semiconductor initiatives, including its position as Vice Chair of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework’s Supply Chain Council and involvement in the QUAD Semiconductor Supply Chain Initiative. Modi mentioned collaborations with Japan, Singapore, and the U.S. in the semiconductor sector. He also announced plans to establish a Semiconductor Research Center at the Indian Institute of Space Sciences in collaboration with IITs.

Sector Growth and Strategic Objectives

Modi detailed India’s ambition to grow its electronics sector from $150 billion to $500 billion by the end of the decade, creating 6 million jobs. He highlighted the success of the Digital India Mission and the country’s rapid advancement in mobile phone production and 5G technology. Modi concluded with a call for a resilient global supply chain and reinforced India’s commitment to a technology-driven, democratic, and crisis-resistant world.

Attendees and Background

The event was attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath, Union Ministers Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw and Shri Jitin Prasad, and leaders from major semiconductor companies. SEMICON India 2024, themed “Shaping the Semiconductor Future,” features over 250 exhibitors and 150 speakers, bringing together global leaders and experts from the semiconductor industry.