This decade is India’s tech-ade: PM Modi

Hailing India’s rapid strides in the technology sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said, “This decade is tech-ade for India.” Underlining India’s surge towards building a robust semiconductor ecosystem, Mr. Modi said, “If the 20th century was about nations with the highest oil reserves, the 21st century is ruled by countries with prowess in chip-making.”

He was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of India Chip Private Limited, a 60:40 joint venture between the HCL Group and Taiwanese Foxconn in Greater Noida.

Participating via video conferencing, Mr. Modi noted that during the pandemic, the world saw the fragility of the chip supply chain. “When supply hit a brake, global economies faltered.” He highlighted that India learned from that crisis and turned it into an opportunity, deciding to become self-reliant in chip manufacturing. “Today’s programme is a reflection of this vision,” he said.

The facility, being set up with an investment of ₹3,700 crore at YEIDA (Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority), is expected to become operational by 2028, the companies said in a joint statement. It is projected to create over 3,500 direct and indirect jobs, build local supply chains, and attract ecosystem partners across the semiconductor value chain. With a planned capacity to process 20,000 wafers per month, the facility will play a pivotal role in meeting India’s growing domestic semiconductor demand, the statement said.

Stressing the nation’s drive toward self-reliance in chip production, Mr. Modi praised Uttar Pradesh’s emergence as a pivotal hub in India’s burgeoning semiconductor ecosystem. Crediting the ‘double-engine government’ for changing the identity of UP from a state once associated with crime and migration to one known for expressways, defence corridors, and dedicated freight corridors. Mr. Modi underlined that the State accounted for more than half of all mobile phones manufactured in the country. “This transformation marks a significant milestone in India’s journey toward becoming a global manufacturing hub.”

He linked the launch to the just-concluded India AI Impact Summit, where global leaders applauded India’s tech vision. “I have said from the ramparts of the Red Fort, India has no time to stop or pause. Since the beginning of 2026, India has accelerated its pace.”