India’s role ‘essential’ as others push legacy chips, says US envoy at Micron launch
Sergio Gor (File photo)
India’s role in the global semiconductor supply chain is “essential” as other countries in the neighbourhood seek to dominate legacy chip production, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on Saturday at the inauguration of Micron Technology’s semiconductor facility in Sanand, Gujarat.Speaking at the event where Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the US-based company’s ATMP (Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging) plant, Gor said India offers a secure and reliable alternative in a strategically sensitive sector, PTI reported.
“India’s role in the global semiconductor supply chain is not just welcome, it is essential under the leadership of your great PM. As other nations in this neighbourhood aggressively expand production of legacy chips and seek to dominate the sector, India offers the secure and reliable alternative,” the US ambassador said.Describing semiconductors as the backbone of modern technology, Gor said they power everything from smartphones and defence systems to artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles. Building “resilient supply chains” for such critical components requires semiconductor ecosystems at “multiple trusted locations”, he added.Gor termed Micron’s investment a strategic milestone. “This $2.75 billion investment represents far more than a new factory. It represents the future of American technology leadership, the strength of the US-India partnership, and our shared commitment to building a resilient supply chain that serves both our nations and the world,” he said.The ambassador noted that India currently has 10 semiconductor projects worth $19 billion under development, calling them a “direct testament” to Prime Minister Modi’s vision and ability to “secure the future of India and for global partners including the US.”Referring to growing bilateral cooperation, Gor said that when Modi and President Donald Trump met in Washington last February, they launched the U.S.-India COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology). “At the heart of the framework is the TRUST initiative—transforming the relationship utilising strategic technology. Today’s inauguration embodies that vision,” he said.He added that India’s focus on chip design and ATMP operations complements America’s push to manufacture the most advanced chips. The Gujarat government’s incentive policies for semiconductor projects set an example for other states, he said.Gor said the US was “beyond proud” of Micron’s Sanand facility and that other American companies are “watching closely” and exploring opportunities in Gujarat.Under Trump’s leadership, the US is strengthening its semiconductor capacity, he said, citing Micron’s $100 billion multi-fab facility in Clay, New York, the largest in US history. “We are investing in advanced chip manufacturing at home while building trusted partnership abroad. But American leadership isn’t about doing it alone. Its about working with our partners who share common goals and our vision for secure, prosperous future,” Gor said.Earlier, Prime Minister Modi described the Micron plant as a testament to India–US collaboration. He also referred to the Pax Silica agreement between the two countries, saying “our collective efforts will also make the global supply chain of critical minerals more secure and reliable.”On February 20, India officially joined the Pax Silica initiative, a US-led international coalition aimed at securing global supply chains for artificial intelligence, semiconductors and critical minerals.
