Technologybrief
Semiconductor Sovereignty: India's Path to Supply Chain Independence
By Sravan Puttagunta·20 July 2025
India imports 100% of its semiconductors. This brief maps the critical dependencies and proposes a phased decoupling strategy built around the India Semiconductor Mission.
The Dependency Problem
India imports 100% of its semiconductors — every chip in every smartphone, automobile, and defense system is manufactured abroad. In a conflict scenario or global supply chain disruption, this represents a catastrophic vulnerability.
The India Semiconductor Mission
The government's $10 billion India Semiconductor Mission is a necessary but insufficient first step. Attracting fabs requires sustained policy continuity beyond electoral cycles and deep collaboration with TSMC, Samsung, and Micron.
Strategic Recommendations
Prioritize legacy node capacity (28nm and above) for defense electronics before pursuing cutting-edge nodes. Partner with Japan's METI and the US CHIPS Act framework to build a trusted supply chain within the Quad.