- Friday, February 28, 2025
Ashwini Vaishnaw, while highlighting the success of the Narendra Modi government, mocked the opposition Indian National Congress, saying they tried multiple times to bring the semiconductor industry in India but failed.
By: Shubham Ghosh
IN an effort to highlight the success of the Narendra Modi government, India’s electronics and information technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday (26) said the South Asian nation has emerged as a crucial destination for semiconductor manufacturers.
He also mocked the opposition Indian National Congress, saying they tried multiple times to bring the semiconductor industry in India in the 1980s, 1990s and 2010s but failed.
The US’s Micron Technology made a key investment announcement specific to India during prime minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the country. Shortly after the Indian leader met with Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra on Thursday (22) and encouraged increased semiconductor manufacturing in India, the global semiconductor major unveiled plans to establish a new assembly and test facility in the western state Gujarat at an investment worth $825 million. Once operational, the facility will cater to both domestic and international markets.
The state was chosen by the Idaho-based Micron due to its robust manufacturing infrastructure, favorable business environment, and the availability of skilled talent in the SANAND Industrial Park, which is managed by the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC).
Construction of the assembly and test facility is expected to commence in phases this year, with the possibility of a second phase beginning in the latter half of the decade, encompassing a facility of similar scale.
“This was a very historic visit. It is a very proud moment when India was discussed in the White House. The US sees India as an equal partner. Several foreign policies focusing on India were signed during the visit. India and US are coming together as a big force. PM Modi’s visit is considered a milestone globally. India has now become a force to reckon with,” said Vaishnaw.
Modi’s high-profile visit resulted in partnerships in 35 emerging technologies, including semiconductors, space, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence. The most significant milestone, according to the minister, was the agreement for jet engine manufacturing in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). GE Aerospace announced a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with HAL to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force, bolstering its capabilities.
Overall, PM Modi’s visit to the US yielded significant outcomes, including collaborations in various sectors such as defense, space, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence.
“India tried for 40 years to develop the semiconductor industry but this is the first time a major semiconductor player, Micron, is coming to the country,” Vaishnaw said.
“Today it is very clear all over the world that India will be the next big distinction of Semiconductor, now the way the whole company has seen India from a different point of view and an MoU has been signed between US and India three months ago in Semiconductor Corporation, which resulted during the state visit of prime minister, there have been three major advances related to semiconductor.
“The Congress is hiding its frustration, it is their frustration, Congress’s frustration is that they tried twice, tried thrice, tried in the 80s, tried in the 90s, tried back in 2010, all three times they failed, to bring the semiconductor industry in India.”
Vaishnaw concluded by stating that India is now focused on technology and joint development in order to position itself effectively in the global world order.
He also mentioned that Micron’s plant in India is set to be operational in a record time of six quarters, by late 2024.
(With agency inputs)
