Semiconductor: India aims to become a trusted partner in $1.5 trillion market

The department would enable companies to become champions in semiconductor and electronics systems designs so that they can compete globally, and a design competency could be developed

Following the COVID-19 pandemic which originated from China, India is looking to become a preferred destination and trusted partner for electronics and semiconductor manufacturing and a prominent player in the $1.5 trillion semiconductor market worldwide, said Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics and IT (MeitY) on Thursday.

“Our electronics and semiconductor plans for the country are underway as per Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to make India a hub for the $1.5 trillion global market”, Chandrasekhar said on the side-lines of India Internet Governance Forum (IIGF) curtain raiser event organised by MeitY and the National Internet Exchange of India.

The lawmaker said that the department would enable companies to become champions in semiconductor and electronics systems designs so that they can compete globally, and a design competency could be developed.

“We are also aiming to become a $1 trillion digital economy that will create new jobs, entrepreneurs and attract investments”, Chandrasekhar said, adding that after COVID-19 pandemic, the world’s behaviour had changed and countries were looking for a trusted partner in electronics and digital solutions while India could be that partner.

For electronics and semiconductor companies, semiconductor conference, being organised in November this year, according to him, could be used as a launching pad.

For data privacy, the Data Protection Authority, once formed, he said, would bring in an action plan on pre-installed apps which, according to analysts, has become a matter of concern.

Meanwhile, to ensure that the devices and pre-installed apps are not snooping on the citizens of the country, MeitY is considering a regulation that may mandate teardown or in-depth testing of handsets.

However, the Personal Data Protection Bill is expected to be put up during the winter session.

“We want the Internet to be open and not controlled by a big tech as well as safe and trusted for all users while intermediaries should be accountable,” the lawmaker said.

India has as many as 800 million people online today.

Chandrasekhar said, to use public services and commercial services, internet services should be available to a large number of people and should not be restrictive with English language alone, and want the Internet to be inclusive.

To promote Hindi language domains and email in government departments, agencies and public sector firm, MeitY is also working on a roadmap.