India has announced 10 semiconductor fab projects worth Rs 1.6 lakh crore across six states. The first Made-in-India chip is expected to roll out later this year from Sanand, Gujarat.
But here’s the twist: India is still heavily dependent on imported high-speed precision machinery, cleanroom integration tools, and advanced design capabilities. This technological gap is what’s catching the attention of international companies.
Industry executives told ANI that instead of seeing these weaknesses as a problem, global firms view them as a gateway into India’s semiconductor story.
Global players smell opportunity
At Semicon India 2025, to be held in Delhi from September 2-4, more than 30 countries will showcase their intent to partner with India. Companies like Applied Materials, IBM, Infineon, LAM Research, Merck, Siemens, TSMC, and Tata Electronics will join the stage.
For many, India’s gaps are not barriers but business opportunities. They see a chance to provide equipment, training, and infrastructure while embedding themselves in India’s supply chain.
One of the most vocal players is Taiwan’s Delta Electronics, which has already invested $500 million in India.
“The technological gap in high-speed precision machinery is 100 percent dependent on imports,” Anil Chaudhry, Head of Robotics & Solutions, Delta Electronics India told ANI.
“We have taken initial steps to localise, and in the future we will focus on Make in India equipment, not just for semiconductors but also for the electronics market.”
Competition is heating up
Delta is not alone. Japanese, Korean, and Singaporean players are also racing to capture the allied parts of India’s chip ecosystem.
As Chaudhry put it, “Semiconductor companies are looking for partners who are already in India. We have that advantage — but competition is rising.”
Voices from the industry
Sanjeev Srivastava, Head of Industrial Automation at Delta, told ANI that the company’s participation in Semicon India 2025 reflects its confidence:
“India is going to be a big hub for semiconductors, and our early engagement will benefit both the industry and us.”
The government push
The government’s Rs 1.6 lakh crore approvals for fabs in Gujarat, Assam, UP, Punjab, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh are already catalysing international partnerships.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said the first India-made chip will roll out before year-end, marking a symbolic milestone. But the bigger story lies in whether India can close its technology gaps fast enough to become a truly competitive chip hub.
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