Global chip giants converge on India to tap local talent and growth

Global semiconductor equipment and manufacturing leaders are intensifying their push into India, viewing the country as a critical hub for expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. The Semicon India 2026 event has drawn unprecedented participation from international chip majors eager to establish operations and partnerships that leverage India's technical talent pool and supportive policy environment.

ASML, the world's largest supplier of lithography equipment essential for advanced chip production, has established an office in India—a move underscoring its confidence in the market's potential. The Dutch company's presence typically signals maturity in semiconductor ecosystems, as it historically operates only in countries with established chip manufacturing capabilities.

Allan Wayne, Chief Strategic Sourcing and Procurement Officer at ASML, highlighted Tata Electronics' newly operational 300-millimetre semiconductor fabrication plant as validation of India's chipmaking ambitions. The facility, capable of producing 50,000 wafers monthly, represents a significant milestone for domestic semiconductor production capacity.

"To scale operations here, we need to build multiple fabrication plants across India," Wayne said, citing both government policy initiatives and India's skilled workforce as catalysts for expansion. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration has created a compelling ecosystem for semiconductor manufacturing that we see as increasingly attractive to our customer base."

Industry observers note that India's combination of favorable regulations, tax incentives, and a growing pool of semiconductor professionals positions the country as an alternative manufacturing destination amid global supply chain diversification efforts.