– By TeamNewsHour
Wilmington, DE – In a significant development highlighting the strengthening ties between the United States and India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden announced a groundbreaking agreement to establish a semiconductor fabrication plant in India, aimed at enhancing national security and advancing telecommunications technology.
The plant, set to be located in Kolkata, represents a pivotal moment in the US-India strategic partnership, focusing on the production of advanced semiconductors crucial for military hardware, next-generation telecommunications, and green energy applications. This initiative is part of a broader collaboration under the India Semiconductor Mission, involving key players like Bharat Semi, 3rdiTech, and the US Space Force.
This collaboration, hailed as a landmark arrangement, will not only bolster the semiconductor supply chains but also foster research and development in chip manufacturing. The facility in Kolkata, supported by GlobalFoundries, aims to produce infrared, gallium nitride, and silicon carbide semiconductors, technologies vital for night vision devices, missile seekers, space sensors, and more.
The agreement underscores a mutual commitment to creating resilient, secure, and sustainable semiconductor supply chains. It’s a move that positions India alongside a select group of nations capable of onshore manufacturing of these high-value components, thereby enhancing India’s role as a net security provider in the region.
This partnership has been compared in significance to the historic US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement, marking another watershed moment in the bilateral relations of the two countries. The collaboration includes technology transfer and a strategic technology partnership, which is a first of its kind for the US Space Force with any international partner.
The announcement comes during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the US, where discussions also covered defense ties, including the procurement of drones and joint military exercises. This semiconductor plant agreement is seen as a step towards not just economic but strategic alignment, aiming to reform global tech supply chains and contribute to both nations’ security and technological advancements.
The establishment of this plant is expected to have far-reaching implications, from reducing dependency on imports for critical technology components to creating job opportunities and fostering innovation in both countries. As the world watches, this US-India semiconductor venture could well set the tone for future international tech collaborations, aiming for a balance between strategic autonomy and interdependence in the crucial sector of semiconductor manufacturing.
