New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a packed auditorium at Yashobhoomi today during Semicon India 2025, delivering a compelling speech that reflected both optimism and strategic intent in positioning India as a global semiconductor powerhouse.
Fresh off his visits to Japan and China, the Prime Minister stood before a high-profile gathering that included Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Jitin Prasada, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, SEMI President Ajit Manocha, and over 40-50 delegations from across the globe, including top CEOs and start-up entrepreneurs.
With characteristic candour and humour, Modi began by acknowledging the audience’s applause, jokingly asking whether they were more impressed by his international visits or his timely return. “I have a natural passion for technology,” he said, noting his recent visit to Tokyo Electron Factory alongside Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba as a symbol of growing Indo-Japanese collaboration in the semiconductor sector.
India’s Economic Momentum
Referencing newly released Q1 GDP figures, Modi highlighted India’s 7.8% growth rate, pointing out that the achievement comes amid global economic uncertainty. He called this an “all-sector growth” and reaffirmed India’s trajectory towards becoming the third largest economy in the world.
Digital Diamonds: India’s Semiconductor Journey
In a powerful analogy, Modi declared, “Oil was black gold, but chips are digital diamonds.” The global semiconductor market, he noted, has already reached $600 billion and is expected to surpass $1 trillion in the coming years. “India is poised to claim a significant share in this trillion-dollar market,” he said confidently.
He outlined the country’s rapid progress:
2021: Launch of Semicon India programme
2023: Approval of India’s first semiconductor plant
2024: Additional plant approvals
2025: Five more projects cleared, with $18 billion (₹1.5 lakh crore) committed across 10 semiconductor projects
Reforms and Infrastructure: Speed is the Key
“Speed matters in semiconductors,” Modi emphasised, outlining how India has embraced a ‘file-to-factory’ approach. Through the National Single Window System, bureaucratic red tape has been drastically reduced. Meanwhile, new semiconductor parks are being built on a plug-and-play model, offering ready access to land, power, connectivity, and skilled workers.
He confirmed major developments:
- CG Power’s pilot plant began operations on 28 August
- Kaynes’ pilot plant is set to go live shortly
- Test chips are already in production at Micron and Tata
“Commercial chips will begin production this year itself,” Modi affirmed, underlining India’s transition from a backend player to a full-stack semiconductor nation.
End-to-End Ecosystem and Emerging Tech
The Prime Minister stressed that India’s strategy is not limited to fabs and chip-making, but rather the creation of a complete ecosystem that includes design, manufacturing, and high-tech device production. Special mention was made of design centres in Noida and Bangalore, currently developing some of the most advanced chips with billions of transistors, powering technologies like AR, VR, and AI.
He also shed light on India’s work on critical minerals, labelling them the “steel” of the digital infrastructure era. With the National Critical Mineral Mission, India is now focusing on sourcing rare minerals domestically.
Youth, Start-ups, and IP Creation
Modi called on Indian start-ups and MSMEs to seize this opportunity. “India contributes 20% of the world’s semiconductor design talent,” he said. He encouraged young entrepreneurs to leverage government programmes such as the Design Linked Incentive Scheme and the Chips-to-Startup Programme, with promises of further revamps and links to the Anusandhan National Research Fund.
States in Semiconductor Race
Acknowledging the proactive roles played by states, Modi urged a “healthy competition” among them to attract investment and build semiconductor infrastructure.
Long-Term Commitment: ‘Design is Ready, Mask is Aligned’
Closing his address, the Prime Minister reiterated India’s commitment to “Reform, Perform, and Transform”, announcing the start of next-generation reforms and a new phase of the India Semiconductor Mission.
“Our policies are not short-term signals; they are long-term commitments,” Modi told investors. “The design is ready, the mask is aligned—now is the time to execute with precision and deliver at scale.”
He concluded: “The day is not far when the world will say: Designed in India, Made in India, Trusted by the World.”