Business leaders reject nationalistic tech races at The Hindu Semiconductor Summit 2026

At the Hindu Semiconductor Summit 2026, a business-led discussion shed light on the necessary ingredients for crafting a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem in India. Four key experts representing Applied Materials India, Teradyne, Krypton (India) Solutions, and Monk9 Tech Private Limited participated in the session titled 'From Design to Fab: Can India Build a Complete Semiconductor Ecosystem.'

The discussion focused on the requirements to connect the technological capabilities of these four companies and create a commercially viable semiconductor ecosystem.

Dr. Suraj Rengarajan, Managing Director and Principal Technologist at Applied Materials India, emphasized that while vertical integration might not be entirely feasible or necessary, India's semiconductor industry needs a network connection to bridge the gap between design talent and consumer demand. He highlighted the importance of addressing strategic areas such as automotive, defence, strategic, and healthcare industries.

Panel experts emphasized that factors other than cost should be considered when building the semiconductor ecosystem. Divya Gurudutt, General Manager at Krypton (India) Solutions, shared an anecdote about the difficulty in importing a critical chemical with a short shelf life of three months. She stressed the significance of quality, cost, and consistency when delivering products that can earn the trust of global companies.

The discussion also touched upon the importance of speed, ease of doing business, and friendly collaboration. Mr. Shankar, The Hindu's Deputy Business Editor, noted that discussions around semiconductor ecosystems often revolve around nationalist politics, defense needs, or sovereignty concerns. However, the industry experts suggested that international collaboration and pooling of global talent could pave the way for a future where no single country bears the burden of manufacturing and testing all semiconductor products.

Dr. Marmik Bhatt, Founder and CEO of Monk9 Tech Private Limited, underlined the multi-disciplinary and global nature of the semiconductor industry, urging more entrepreneurs to take risks and contribute to the industry's growth. Alpa Sood, India Country Manager at Teradyne, stressed the importance of investing in R&D, learning from existing networks, and ensuring high-quality products to build customer trust in Indian hardware.