India has become the world’s second-largest mobile phone manufacturer and exporter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday, highlighting the country’s efforts to build a complete electronics and semiconductor ecosystem.Speaking after inaugurating the CG Semi Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility, PM Modi said that India was now building the entire electronics value chain, from products and components to semiconductors, calling it the roadmap to a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed India).“The expansion of the semiconductor industry in India did not happen overnight. It is the next step in the electronics revolution that has taken place in India over the past decade,” he said after being presented with the first semiconductor chips manufactured at the facility, which will be exported to Japan.Highlighting the country’s progress in electronics manufacturing, the prime minister said, “First products, then components and now semiconductors….India is building the entire electronics value chain. This is the roadmap to Viksit Bharat. This is the next phase of Make in India.”He said the government’s goal was to create a complete semiconductor ecosystem in the country, spanning chip design, fabrication and packaging.“The Semicon India programme is gathering rapid momentum… Step by step. Brick by brick. Chip by chip,” PM Modi said.The prime minister also said India’s youth would drive the next wave of technological innovation. “India’s youth will power the AI, robotics and next-gen tech revolution with Made in India chips,” he added.Earlier in the day, the prime minister visited Rajasthan where he unveiled development projects worth around Rs 1.06 lakh crore. The projects included the inauguration of the new terminal building at Jodhpur Airport, the launch of the Modified UDAN scheme, the dedication of India’s first greenfield integrated refinery-cum-petrochemical complex to the nation, and the foundation stone and inauguration of several infrastructure projects in Balotra. He also handed over appointment letters to around 54,000 newly recruited Rajasthan government employees.
