Qualcomm to make India export hub for auto modules, backs AI push: Global CEO Cristiano Amon
In a big affirmation of India’s electronics manufacturing and AI ambitions, American semiconductor giant Qualcomm is all set to sign a deal to contract-manufacture and source automotive module products from India that will be exported across the world, apart from being sold in the domestic market, Global CEO and President Cristiano Amon said. Qualcomm will perhaps be the first top-tier global chipmaker to export automotive module products from India, nearly four years after the govt had announced a $10 billion semiconductor incentive package to attract chip companies to make in India.
The move by Qualcomm comes on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked global tech giants, gathered in India for the AI Impact Summit, to use India as a base for design and development of cutting-edge tech as well as AI. “Design and Develop in India. Deliver to the World. Deliver to Humanity,” Modi said earlier in the day as he addressed global CEOs and heads of state, including Google CEO Sundar Pichai, OpenAI’s Sam Altman, French President Emmanuel Macron, and the UN Secretary General. In an interview to the Times Group, Amon said that with a rich legacy and a strong manpower, Qualcomm remains bullish on India as the company looks to grow its engagement in terms of module manufacturing as well as enhanced work on engineering and R&D for chips and AI. “We already have one of Qualcomm’s largest R&D hubs outside the US in India… Tomorrow, we will be making announcements about manufacturing some of the modules we provide to global companies in India, with new electronics manufacturing partners. We’re also expanding our engagement in advanced packaging, assembly, and testing as part of India’s growing semiconductor supply chain,” he said. Giving details about the expansion plans, he said that Qualcomm will be starting with the design of some of its component chips, especially in power management. “We will leverage investments in India for semiconductor manufacturing as capacity becomes available, and we will begin engagement for fabrication. Once that is done, these products will be part of the Qualcomm product line-up sold to customers worldwide.” He said the company will also manufacture “certain integrated modules”, especially for markets like automotive where higher levels of integration is required. “These modules will be manufactured in India and sold not only to the automotive industry in India but also globally.” Amon appreciated the efforts of the Indian govt to drive in AI infrastructure and research work through the AI Impact Summit. “It’s incredibly positive. I’m incredibly excited about it. I’ve always been a big believer that when we think about the next chapter of AI — especially as AI goes everywhere — our mission as a company is not only to enable AI in the data center, but also to see it evolve into the network and into all the different devices we use today – smartphones, PCs, cars, and the new AI-powered devices that connect to intelligent agents. I see that India has many of the elements required to make this successful. Not only does India have the ability to innovate domestically, but it also has the capability to provide technology to the rest of the world.” He said that Qualcomm agrees with the call of PM Modi in this regard. “I’m excited about the activity I see across the entire AI supply chain — from foundational models in India to applications, to leveraging the vibrant electronics manufacturing ecosystem, and now the beginnings of a semiconductor supply chain. As someone who has been engaged with India since the beginning of cellular, we’re incredibly excited and privileged to be part of this journey.” Qualcomm had recently announced its first 2-nanometer chip designed 100% by its India team. “That reflects the strength of the design ecosystem here.” He said the manufacturing engagement is part of Qualcomm’s global supply chain. Aked whether India can become a hub for some of these activities, he said, “That is the vision, and that’s where investments are being made. It’s starting right now, but these things take time.” Amon said that Qualcomm is encouraged by Modi’s approach. “This is not about one single initiative — it’s a multi-year journey. India is becoming part of the global semiconductor and electronics manufacturing ecosystem. It is a journey and it has taken multiple years. We’re happy to be partners from the beginning. That has been the history of our partnership with India.” Asked about the strengths that Qualcomm gets from the Indian market, he said it’s a combination of factors. “We’ve always believed in India’s talent — particularly in science, computer science, and electronics. We have a significant presence across Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and other cities. India is our second-largest R&D hub globally. We’re proud of that… Our teams here do the same level of R&D as our teams in the United States.” He said that the company is now combining talent with supportive policies provided by the govt such as infrastructure development, electronics manufacturing, and the beginnings of a semiconductor supply chain. “That expansion is significant because it means India will have both design and manufacturing capabilities.” Emergence of a strong ecosystem in India will also lead to diversification of its supply chain. “The world needs diversified semiconductor manufacturing capacity. The efforts US is taking to build manufacturing are important. What India is doing is also very important. When you put this at scale, this will create a more vibrant industry globally and in the case for AI for everyone this will enable acceleration and diffusion of technology across industries.” Amon said that in automotive and industrial supply chain, diversity becomes critical. “In many cases, supply also needs to be closer to manufacturing locations. As India builds out its supply chain capabilities, that creates significant opportunities. That’s why we have always believed in India and have been one of the early partners in this journey. But it’s not only about the supply chain.” At the AI Impact Summit, the company announced a Qualcomm Venture Fund, committing $150 million to invest in Indian startups. “There’s no better way to demonstrate how strongly we believe in innovation coming out of India — particularly in enabling AI across companies… our investment in India spans decades. We were investing here long before it became a widely recognized trend.”
