ONE could sense the pride and confidence with which Mr. AshwiniVaishnaw, Union Minister for Communications, Electronics, and Information Technology, made the statement that the first ‘Made in India’ chip would be out in December 2024. Whosoever has been following the story of transformation of India from being a consumer country to a business powerhouse, will agree that the India of today is not only making policies but also implementing those in a fasttrack manner.

 

There was a time when India lagged in many areas. In fact, the troubled years of economic crisis led to policy paralysis, shaken confidence, and depleting forex reserves, leaving little scope for focussing on innovation and resurgence. Despite the ushering in of the economic reforms, much was left to be desired as far as strong policies and related ecosystem were concerned. This created a dilemma when it came to challenging own status as merely a marketplace. So, dependence on imports and disinvestment were adopted as ‘prudent’ measures. Even in collaborative efforts, focus was always on agreeing to the terms and conditions of the high and mighty in the world. Even during this long phase, there were flashes of assertion and seeds of future policy changes were sown. Still, it did not help India’s resurgence as an economic power of global significance. In the past decade, things have started changing.

 

The seeds planted years ago sprouted in the monsoon of strong leadership committed to rise of India as a significant global power. Several policies were made, implemented, and the ecosystem flourished with each passing year. Right from rise of start-ups and growth of many of them into unicorns, to increasing investment in space sector, everywhere the results are turning the tide in India’s favour. In semiconductor sector, China and Taiwan have a big presence. Since the Communist China’s hegemonic aggression against Taiwan, the world started thinking about alternatives. India, which had already launched ‘Make in India’ campaign to become a manufacturing hub and to give a boost to indigenisation in defence manufacturing too, seized the moment without wasting time.

 

With the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, as has been pointed out by Mr. Vaishnaw, the semiconductor policy was announced at the start of 2022. The very next year, agreement with global giant Micron was signed. June 2023 saw start of construction of the plant. Now, the first ‘Made in India’ chip is set to be out by end of this year. This may well be a start of India’s rise in semiconductor sector. For, it has become India’s signature style to think of any policy with a deeper thought to having an ecosystem in which entrepreneurship will flourish, skilled manpower will be available through appropriate changes in education system, and to aid birth of companies that will develop value chain. In case of semiconductor production also, all these steps have been taken. Hence, though it took many decades for India to arrive at this stage, the rise hereon will be at a great speed. While rising on global map economically and culturally, India is taking leaps of faith into the future on the foundation of strong policies and ecosystem. The pride all this generates is indeed ‘Made in India’.