Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday virtually participated in the groundbreaking ceremony of the HCL-Foxconn Semiconductor Unit in Uttar Pradesh, describing the project as a landmark moment in India’s journey towards technological self-reliance and global leadership in chip manufacturing.
The semiconductor facility, being set up by HCL Technologies and Foxconn, is part of the government’s broader effort to build a strong domestic semiconductor ecosystem and reduce dependence on global supply chains. The ceremony follows closely after the India AI Impact Summit held in New Delhi, reinforcing India’s push in both software and hardware domains.
A Defining Step Toward ‘Viksit Bharat’
Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said India is moving with renewed speed towards the vision of a developed nation. “India has no time to stop or pause. Since the beginning of 2026, we have further increased our pace,” he remarked, highlighting initiatives such as the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue, National Startup Day and the India Energy Summit.
He underlined that India is simultaneously strengthening its capabilities in artificial intelligence, green energy, digital infrastructure, space technology and semiconductor manufacturing. Calling the current decade India’s “Techade,” the Prime Minister said investments in emerging technologies will define the country’s strength in the 21st century.
Semiconductors: The Oil of the 21st Century
Emphasising the strategic importance of semiconductors, PM Modi compared their significance in the 21st century to oil in the previous century. He recalled how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global chip supply chains, impacting industries and economies worldwide.
“India chose to convert that crisis into an opportunity. We resolved to build a robust semiconductor ecosystem and move towards self-reliance in chip manufacturing,” he said.
Under the India Semiconductor Mission, 10 semiconductor fabrication and packaging projects have already been approved, with four units expected to begin production soon. The second phase of the mission, announced in the Union Budget, will further strengthen fabrication, advanced packaging and research and development capabilities.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the “Chips to Startup” programme, aimed at training over 85,000 industry-ready professionals in semiconductor design, and announced plans for Rare Earth Corridors to support end-to-end semiconductor and battery manufacturing.
Big Boost for Uttar Pradesh
As a Member of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh, PM Modi said the state is poised to emerge as a major hub in India’s semiconductor ecosystem.
He noted that wherever semiconductor units are established, they attract design houses, research centres and startup ecosystems, generating large-scale employment. The new unit is expected to create significant opportunities for young engineers and skilled professionals.
Highlighting the state’s growth, he said electronics manufacturing in India has increased nearly six-fold over the past 11 years, while electronics exports have grown eight-fold. Mobile phone production has surged more than 28 times, with exports rising over 100 times. Uttar Pradesh now accounts for more than half of India’s mobile phone manufacturing.
Improved infrastructure, including expressways, the Defence Corridor, the Dedicated Freight Corridor and the upcoming Jewar International Airport, has strengthened the state’s industrial ecosystem, he added.
India as a Trusted Global Manufacturing Partner
PM Modi said the collaboration with global companies like Foxconn signals strong international confidence in India’s democratic and stable environment.
Also Read | ‘India Sees Opportunity in AI, Not Fear’: PM Modi at India AI Impact Summit 2026
“India’s expanding role in global manufacturing strengthens global value chains. It is a win-win situation for India and the world,” he said.
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister thanked HCL Technologies Chairperson Roshni Nadar and Foxconn Semiconductor Business Group President Bob Chen for their partnership, expressing confidence that the semiconductor unit would accelerate Uttar Pradesh’s growth and reinforce India’s ambition to become a global technology powerhouse.
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