Modi lays foundation of HCL-Foxconn semiconductor unit in UP

New Delhi/Lucknow, 21 February : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday participated via video conferencing in the groundbreaking ceremony of the HCL-Foxconn semiconductor unit in Uttar Pradesh, describing it as a major step towards making India a global semiconductor hub.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said India is moving rapidly towards the goal of Viksit Bharat and is simultaneously strengthening both software and hardware capabilities. He noted that recent events including the Global AI Impact Summit and technology initiatives reflected the country’s push in emerging sectors.

Highlighting the importance of semiconductor manufacturing, Modi said chips in the 21st century hold strategic value comparable to oil in the past and recalled global supply disruptions during the pandemic. He said India has decided to build self-reliance in chip production to support sectors such as artificial intelligence, telecommunications, defence and electric vehicles.

The Prime Minister said initiatives like the Semiconductor Mission and skill programmes to train specialists will support the ecosystem, while Uttar Pradesh is emerging as a key centre for electronics manufacturing and employment generation.

He added that electronics manufacturing in India has grown significantly in the past decade and mobile phone production and exports have expanded sharply, with Uttar Pradesh contributing a major share. Modi thanked HCL Technologies and Foxconn for partnership, saying their participation strengthens India’s position in the global value chain.