Semiconductors: Can India become a global chip powerhouse? - BBC News

Semiconductors power every aspect of modern life, from computers and smartphones to cars.

17 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Semiconductors power every aspect of modern, digital lifeBy Nikhil InamdarBBC Business Correspondent, MumbaiIt has been a year-and-a-half since India announced incentives to power up a homegrown semiconductor manufacturing industry and launched a national mission, but progress has been slapdash.

Days after US major Micron announced it would invest nearly $3bn (£2.3bn) in an assembly and test facility in the western state of Gujarat, Taiwanese tech giant Foxconn withdrew from its $19.5bn joint venture with India's Vedanta to build a chip-making plant in the country.

Plans of at least two other companies appear to have been stalled, local media say.

But as Mr Modi's government waits for high-value investments from chipmakers to match a $10bn incentives outlay, it has been inking a bunch of technology partnerships to get the industry on a firmer footing.

Following an agreement with the US on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) to enhance bilateral collaboration on semiconductor supply chains, India signed a similar memorandum of understanding with Japan last week.