Semiconductor push: PM Modi inaugurates Micron’s Sanand chip plant; see pics

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Micron Technology’s semiconductor facility at Sanand in Gujarat, asserting that India is now expanding its global identity beyond software into hardware manufacturing as it seeks a larger role in the global semiconductor value chain.The US-based company’s ATMP (Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging) plant, the first such facility of its kind in the country, reflects deepening India–US technology cooperation, the Prime Minister said while addressing the gathering. “The message has reached the world loud and clear: India is capable, India is competitive and India is committed,” Modi said, adding that the country is positioning itself as a reliable destination for global investors, PTI reported.“India, long known for its software strength, is now firmly establishing its identity in the hardware sector as well,” he said. The Prime Minister described semiconductors as central to the emerging technological era, linking industrial transformation with artificial intelligence-led growth. “If oil was the regulator of the last century, the microchip will be the regulator of this century,” he said, stressing that India had moved decisively into the semiconductor sector even during the COVID pandemic.He said India’s Semiconductor Mission was launched at a time of global uncertainty but the early investments are now beginning to deliver results. “During the pandemic, everything felt like it was falling apart, but the seeds we planted with conviction are now growing and bearing fruits,” Modi said. Highlighting strategic cooperation with the United States, the Prime Minister said both democracies are working closely in AI and chip technologies to build resilient and secure supply chains. He added that global demand for secure semiconductor and critical mineral supply chains is creating new opportunities for India.Modi noted that 10 projects have so far been approved under the Semicon India programme, with three additional facilities expected to begin production soon. The semiconductor ecosystem being developed is “pan-India”, he said, with projects underway in Noida, Assam, Odisha and Punjab.“The semiconductor ecosystem we are building is not limited to any one region,” he said, adding that India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 announced in the Budget aims to deepen domestic manufacturing by boosting demand for materials, components and services. The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s expanding electronics market, driven by rising domestic consumption. “India has a large population that is becoming first-time users of gadgets. Whether it is electronics, automobiles, or other technologies, demand in India is constantly growing,” he said.He added that growing electronics production and exports over the past decade would further strengthen semiconductor demand in the country.The Micron facility is expected to anchor a new industrial ecosystem in Sanand. Drawing a parallel with earlier industrial development in the region, Modi said, “When a major automotive company arrived here, an entire ecosystem developed with it… this pioneering facility is also poised to spawn a new ecosystem.”According to a government release, the ATMP plant will manufacture SSD storage devices along with RAM-type DRAM and NAND products. Micron has invested Rs 22,516 crore in setting up the Sanand facility.The project is expected to strengthen India’s semiconductor manufacturing ambitions while reinforcing technology collaboration between India and the US, the release added.