Ahmedabad: Flagging disruptions in global supply chains amid geopolitical conflicts, PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday said it is “extremely important” for a democratic nation like India to take the lead in ensuring global development, as the country steps up efforts to build a robust semiconductor ecosystem. The PM emphasized the govt is laying a strong foundation for technology and energy security in the coming decades.The PM inaugurated the Kaynes Semicon’s outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) facility in Sanand near Ahmedabad. He said the 21st century has brought several challenges, with global supply chains taking a hit due to conflicts. “Global supply chains have suffered a lot, be it chips, rare earth minerals or energy. They have been badly affected by conflicts. These are intrinsically linked to the accelerated progress of humanity, and any disruptions in these supply chains or their flow affect the development of the entire human race. Thus, it is extremely important for global development that India advances in this direction,” he said. “India is strengthening its role as a reliable semiconductor supplier in the global market. India is actively building a robust semiconductor ecosystem and simultaneously making significant efforts to establish a resilient supply chain for raw materials. The country’s participation in Pax Silica is a testament to this very endeavour. Working in tandem with our global partners, we aim to ensure a secure supply chain,” he said. India recently joined Pax Silica, a US-led strategic coalition launched in Dec 2025 to secure critical technology supply chains, with a special focus on semiconductors, AI, and rare-earth elements.Modi said an Indian company becoming part of the global semiconductor supply chain marks a significant milestone. “In a sense, a new bridge has emerged today between Sanand and Silicon Valley,” he said, adding that the plant will supply intelligent power modules to a California-based company. Citing industry estimates, Modi said India’s semiconductor market, currently valued at about Rs 4.5 lakh crore, is expected to cross Rs 9 lakh crore by the end of the decade. The PM remarked, “Our target is to manufacture the maximum number of chips for our needs right here in India. The enthusiasm of global investors towards India’s resolve is a big capital for us.”Describing this decade as India’s ‘Techade’, the PM emphasized that the current period is not just about economic competition but about shaping the future tech landscape. “India’s AI ecosystem will get great strength from the rise of our semiconductor sector,” he added. The PM recalled how India resolved, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, to become a semiconductor manufacturing hub and has since accelerated policy and investment measures. Referring to the India Semiconductor Mission launched in 2021, he said projects worth Rs 1.60 lakh crore are underway, and the recently announced ISM 2.0 aims to deepen domestic manufacturing capabilities. The PM also noted that the target of training over 85,000 design professionals will be achieved very soon. Citing the ‘Chips to Startup’ programme, he said, “Technology development and a skilled workforce must go hand in hand. India is ensuring both.”Referring to measures taken to ensure self-reliance in securing critical minerals, the PM spoke of the National Critical Minerals Mission, a Rs 1,500-crore recycling scheme and the proposed rare-earth corridor across coastal states.
