India Must Develop Critical Material Ecosystem for Semiconductor Sovereignty, Says Minister Vaishnaw

New Delhi, October 14 (Daily Kiran) : Central Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the importance of developing a robust critical materials ecosystem for India’s journey toward technological sovereignty. Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum, he pointed out that reliance on essential materials remains one of India’s significant vulnerabilities.

Vaishnaw stressed the urgent need to enhance domestic capabilities for materials required in semiconductors and other advanced technologies. He noted that the concentration of global supply chains in a few countries poses a major challenge to India’s ambition of becoming a reliable technology and manufacturing hub.

The minister identified chemicals, gases, substrates, and other inputs used in semiconductor manufacturing as key areas where India must strengthen its expertise and production capabilities. He remarked that countries currently dominating the materials ecosystem have spent decades developing these capabilities. India, however, cannot afford such a lengthy timeline and needs to accelerate efforts in manufacturing, processing, storage, and management of critical materials.

Vaishnaw explained that India’s semiconductor mission is evolving beyond just chip manufacturing and assembly. It now aims to create a comprehensive ecosystem that includes materials, chemicals, gases, and substrates. He mentioned that the second phase of the country’s semiconductor program will focus more on these areas.

The government’s strategy is to move beyond just assembling finished products to include the manufacturing of modules, components, materials, and ultimately capital equipment. A strong ecosystem is essential for sustainable growth in the manufacturing sector.

He clarified that India’s pursuit of technological sovereignty does not mean complete independence from other countries. Instead, it aims to address strategic vulnerabilities and strengthen capabilities in critical sectors. Vaishnaw emphasized the need for a nuanced understanding of technological sovereignty, focusing on strategic dependence and resilience.

He concluded by stating that India seeks to become a reliable partner in any sector it wishes to enter. For instance, producing a million-dollar machine for legacy nodes ranging from 28 to 90 nanometers could be halted by a one-dollar chip. This raises the question of whether India can establish itself as a dependable nation in design, manufacturing, and the overall valuation of final products. The country is advancing with this perspective in mind.