PM Modi and Joe Biden Announce Revolutionary Semiconductor Fabrication Plant in India

Revolutionizing Semiconductor Manufacturing: A New Era for India

Washington: US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have hailed a watershed arrangement to establish a new semiconductor fabrication plant focused on advanced sensing, communication, and power electronics for national security, next-generation telecommunications, and green energy applications. The plant will be built with support from Bharat Semi, 3rdiTech and the US Space Force.

The 'Joint Fact Sheet: The United States and India Continue to Expand Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership' released by the White House after a meeting between PM Modi and President Biden noted the launch of a new US-India Advanced Materials R&D Forum to expand collaboration between American and Indian universities, national laboratories, and private sector researchers.

Key Technologies and Their Significance

The leaders of both countries highlighted additional cooperation across artificial intelligence (AI), quantum, and other critical technology areas. They praised combined efforts to facilitate resilient, secure, and sustainable semiconductor supply chains including through GlobalFoundries' (GF) creation of the GF Kolkata Power Center in Kolkata, India that will enhance mutually beneficial linkages in research and development in chip manufacturing. This project enables game-changing advances for zero and low-emission vehicles, IoT devices, AI, and data centres.

• Warfare Technology: This initiative focuses on advanced sensing, advanced communications, and high-voltage power electronics.
• This is India's first, and one of the world’s first, multi-material fabs for national security.
• Commercial Benefit: Methodologies for railways, telecom infrastructure, and green energy.

Global Impact

This partnership comes at a crucial time as India and the US confront shared global challenges. The semiconductor fabrication plant is expected to serve dual purposes: fortifying national security and enhancing India's position as a technology provider.

The Bharat Semi plant aligns with PM Modi's vision for India to transition from a chip taker to a chip maker. This historic collaboration will help India join an elite group of nations capable of onshore semiconductor manufacturing and is a significant stride in addressing the current import bill for semiconductors valued at $1 billion annually.

This endeavor will also catalyze the first joint efforts by NASA and ISRO, focusing on scientific research in 2025, fostering a seamless integration of technology and innovation.