India's Semiconductor Self-Reliance Means Trusted Partnerships, Not Isolation, Says Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri

New Delhi, September 18 - India's self-reliance in the semiconductor sector does not mean building everything within the country, but rather developing sovereign capabilities while forming trusted global partnerships, according to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Addressing Semicon India 2026, Misri stressed that no single country can build a semiconductor chip alone, and international partnerships are essential due to the highly interconnected nature of the global value chain.

The semiconductor strategy should focus on knowing precisely what to build at home and with whom to collaborate abroad, while promoting diversification of supply chains. Misri emphasized the role of governments in supporting semiconductor ecosystems, citing examples from the US CHIPS Act, China's domestic investments, and Europe's goal to capture a fifth of global manufacturing capacity.

Self-reliance does not imply eliminating dependence on foreign countries; instead, it means knowing where to build sovereign capabilities and where to pursue trusted partnerships. India is investing in developing indigenous strengths in semiconductor design, packaging, and manufacturing where it has a competitive advantage, while inviting global players to establish capabilities in the country.

The Foreign Secretary highlighted India's strengths, such as its young engineering talent pool, large domestic market, political stability, and policy momentum. He also acknowledged that India still relies on imported semiconductor equipment and materials and stressed the importance of maintaining policy consistency to build investor confidence.

Misri outlined three factors companies should consider when choosing partners in the semiconductor industry: complementarity, predictability, and long-term relationships. He urged companies to seek complementarity, not duplication, and to weigh predictability as heavily as price due to the long timeframes involved in building semiconductor facilities.

Misri emphasized that investing in relationships before they are needed, through joint research, training, and personnel exchanges, is crucial for building trust, which is an invaluable asset in the semiconductor industry.