Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated SEMICON India 2026 in New Delhi on September 17, marking the fifth edition of the annual summit that has come to symbolize India's ambitions to establish itself as a global hub for chip manufacturing and design.

Addressing participants from India and abroad, Modi framed the event as a convergence of the country's traditional heritage of craftsmanship and its 21st-century technological aspirations, drawing a parallel between the summit's timing and Vishwakarma Diwas, a day honoring India's centuries-old culture of construction and creation.

From Policy to Production: A Four-Year Journey

Tracing the arc of Semicon India since its launch in 2022, Modi described how the initiative has moved through successive phases, from initial policy discussions to project planning, the establishment of pilot production lines, and now the commencement of full commercial output.

He announced that chips manufactured in Indian plants have begun reaching customers both domestically and internationally, and he specifically noted the launch of commercial production at two new facilities located in Mohali and Surat.

The Prime Minister characterized this progression as the result of an intensive collaborative effort involving government, industry, and academic institutions working in concert to master chip design, equipment manufacturing, and testing capabilities within a compressed timeframe. He credited the industry leaders present at the summit as foundational partners in achieving what he described as a rapid technological leap.

Second Phase of Semiconductor Mission Announced

A central announcement at the summit was the launch of the second phase of India's Semiconductor Mission, backed by a commitment of 13.5 billion dollars. Modi also disclosed new regulatory reforms designed to facilitate collaborations between international companies, domestic startups, and chip design firms, describing these measures as part of the government's commitment to removing obstacles for industry participants.

He outlined a broader vision for building a comprehensive domestic supply chain, emphasizing the need to nurture fabless companies, develop homegrown intellectual property, and integrate silicon photonics as part of infrastructure aimed at enabling artificial intelligence applications.

Modi addressed leaders in equipment manufacturing, chemicals, gases, and materials, urging them to capitalize on the opportunities created by twelve approved projects and what he described as an expanding demand pipeline.

Talent Pipeline Cited as Strategic Asset

Modi devoted considerable attention to India's engineering talent base, describing it as a strategic advantage that he said amounts to a gold mine for industry participants.

The government has set a target of training one lakh, or one hundred thousand, engineering students specifically in chip design, and Modi reported that 70,000 of those students have already completed training. He said he has personally received custom-designed chips from students as a demonstration of emerging domestic capability.

Calling on young Indian researchers working both within the country and abroad, the Prime Minister urged them to participate actively in the development of advanced technologies in India.

He also issued a direct challenge to industry leaders to spearhead local research and development activity, arguing that such investment would generate mutual benefits by driving business growth while simultaneously strengthening the capabilities of India's youth.

Economic Indicators and Diplomatic Context

Modi situated the semiconductor summit within a broader narrative of Indian economic momentum, referencing several developments from the preceding fifteen days.

These included discussions on inclusive finance at the Global Fintech Fest, the operationalization of a 3,000-kilometer Dedicated Freight Corridor, and a quarterly GDP growth figure of 7.8 percent. He also pointed to a recent sovereign credit rating upgrade by a Japanese credit rating agency as evidence of growing international confidence in the Indian economy.

The Prime Minister additionally referenced the recently concluded BRICS Summit hosted by India, highlighting the unanimous adoption of what he called the New Delhi Declaration as a reflection of international consensus and a further demonstration of global trust in the country.

Shifting Demands of the Semiconductor Market

Modi addressed what he described as evolving complexities in the global semiconductor market, noting that the explosive growth in demand for artificial intelligence is changing the nature of chip development.

He indicated that this shift is moving industry focus beyond transistor miniaturization alone toward a more holistic approach to system integration, encompassing considerations such as memory placement and thermal management.

Against this backdrop, he reiterated that India is positioning itself as a preferred and trusted manufacturing destination at a moment when the world is actively seeking alternatives and diversification in its supply chains.

He stated that the world is looking for new and trusted manufacturing destinations and that India is steadily preparing itself to meet this need, adding that the government intends to take every step necessary to make India the semiconductor industry's destination of choice.

Tracking India's Semiconductor Build-Out Before Your Competitors Do

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