On July 28, Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened Semicon India 2023 at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar during a two-day visit to his home state of Gujarat.
The conference, titled 'Catalysing India's Semiconductor Ecosystem,' aimed to bring together global experts from industry, academia, and research organisations.
The event highlighted India's semiconductor strategy and policy, with the country envisioned as a global hub for semiconductor design, manufacture, and technological development.
During his speech at the event, Prime Minister Modi emphasised the importance of Semicon India in updating relationships between industry professionals and policymakers.
He emphasised the shift in investor view of India's semiconductor industry, adding that the question has shifted from "why invest?" to "why not invest?"
The Prime Minister complimented the participants' efforts for this positive transition and encouraged them to align their future with India's goals, capitalising on India's democracy, demography, and economic dividend.
PM Modi emphasised India's digital industry and electronic manufacturing's exponential growth, indicating that the country's share of global electronics production had greatly increased.
He provided astonishing statistics, such as India's electronics industry expanding from less than $30 billion in 2014 to more than $100 billion now.
Furthermore, India's exports of electronics and mobile phones have more than doubled in just two years.
PM Modi emphasised the need of a chip-making ecosystem in India, claiming that the country's burgeoning neo-middle class is the driving force behind its objectives. He pushed investment in the semiconductor industry, promising first-mover benefits to those who participated.
The Prime Minister also announced plans to provide semiconductor courses in 300 Indian colleges, fostering the development of technical talent in the industry.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reiterated the view of developing a robust semiconductor industry to help India become self-sufficient.
He lauded Prime Minister Modi's innovative leadership and credited the government's policies with moving India from 10th to fifth largest economy in the world in 2014.
Vaishnaw announced three big semiconductor agreements struck during Prime Minister Modi's visit to the United States, highlighting the increased interest in India's semiconductor sector.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel commended PM Modi's leadership and the achievement of numerous goals outlined in the Atmanirbhar Bharat resolution.
He praised the opening of a greenfield international airport in Rajkot, as well as other development projects targeted at improving irrigation and providing drinking water to the Saurashtra region.
PM Modi criticised the behaviour and aims of corrupt and dynastic persons in a veiled reference to the opposition alliance 'INDIA,' implying that the new name of their alliance did not change their intentions.
He accused the opposition of using double standards in raising concerns concerning citizens, noting their inconsistent positions on a variety of issues.
Following his visit to Rajkot, PM Modi met with Gujarat ministers at Gandhinagar's Raj Bhavan. Each minister delivered details about the important initiatives and projects implemented by their respective departments, as well as their future intentions, during the meeting.
PM Modi's visit to Gujarat, as well as the inauguration of Semicon India 2023, underlined the government's dedication to promoting India's semiconductor industry and supporting technical developments in the country.
The conference provided a forum for world experts to network, discuss ideas, and contribute to India's ambitious goal of becoming a premier semiconductor powerhouse.
With the Prime Minister's encouragement and assistance, India's semiconductor ecosystem is set to flourish and succeed in the next few years.
