'Semiconductor Mission Should Have Started 30 Years Ago', PM Modi Tells India Today

In a recent interview with India Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi openly discussed the delayed start of India's semiconductor mission, expressing regret for not initiating it three decades ago.

He remarked, "For 30 years, people in power were merely running governments, not the nation," emphasising the crucial importance of fast-tracking the semiconductor mission to position India globally in manufacturing.

"The semiconductor mission is something we should have started 30 years back. We are already late,” he said in the context of India's semiconductor push.

PM Modi expressed confidence in India's potential for success in semiconductors, stating, "India has all the prerequisites for success... We are focused on the right mix of policies, incentives, and skilling. Our focus is on bringing the entire electronics manufacturing ecosystem to India."

Moving beyond semiconductors, PM Modi also touched on broader economic topics.

He highlighted the government's commitment to job creation, citing a significant increase in capital investment in the 2023-24 budget.

PM Modi drew parallels with his tenure as chief minister of Gujarat, showcasing a track record of consistent expansion.

"When I became PM in 2014, the size of India’s economy was $2 trillion, and by the end of 2023-24, India’s GDP will be more than $3.75 trillion. It is this track record of 23 years which shows this is a realistic target," he added.

Addressing the ambitious $5 trillion economy goal, PM Modi emphasised the steady growth trajectory, echoing the success witnessed in Gujarat's economic expansion during his leadership.

Regarding India's ambition in artificial intelligence (AI), he stated, "We will be working on our own computing power in large indigenous language models, keeping in mind the diversity of Indian languages and our needs."