India Partners with Singapore to Build a Global Semiconductor Hub

2024-10-07

New Delhi, India | 2024 – India’s semiconductor industry is undergoing unprecedented growth, positioning itself as a key player in the global semiconductor supply chain. This week, India and Singapore signed a cooperation agreement to jointly promote India’s semiconductor ecosystem, marking a significant milestone in the country’s push toward becoming a global semiconductor hub. Companies like Kaynes Semicon and Tower Semiconductor have also announced plans to expand their investments in India, aiming to build more manufacturing and assembly facilities to meet the rising global demand for chips.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to host the Semicon India event next week in Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi, underscoring the country’s commitment to advancing its semiconductor industry. According to Ajit Manocha, President and CEO of SEMI, India is at a pivotal moment, with the potential to emerge as a global semiconductor hub. The country’s vast engineering talent pool, combined with the rapidly growing demand for electronics, positions India to further strengthen the resilience of its semiconductor supply chain.

Historically, India has been a key player in semiconductor design, supporting global giants like Texas Instruments (TI), Intel, and Qualcomm in chip design. Now, the country is transitioning this accumulated design expertise into local chip manufacturing, with a focus on sectors such as power electronics, automotive, and industrial applications, as well as advancing into cutting-edge co-packaged optics technology.

In addition to existing government incentive programs, India is attracting many semiconductor experts who previously worked in the United States, now returning with fresh energy to contribute to the country’s semiconductor development. These experts are playing a crucial role in driving innovation and enhancing production capabilities, bringing with them advanced technologies and management expertise.

Multinational companies such as L&T Semiconductor and Renesas are expanding their engineering and R&D teams in India, developing new system-on-chip (SoC) designs and application-specific standard products (ASSPs). Meanwhile, domestic firms like Ola Krutrim are focusing on AI chip development, with plans to release their first chips by 2026, working toward India's technological independence.

Overall, India’s semiconductor industry is entering an exciting new phase, with domestic and international collaborations fueling its rapid growth. These investments and partnerships are positioning India at the forefront of the global semiconductor industry.

 

Translation source: India’s Semiconductor Stars Align to Build Out Ecosystem - EE Times