Davos/KLosters: India is rapidly gaining traction as a global centre for electronics production, with major technology companies repositioning manufacturing footprints to diversify away from China, Cristiano Amon, President and CEO of Qualcomm, said at a panel discussion during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.
Amon, speaking alongside global business leaders and policymakers, said India — alongside Vietnam — is attracting electronics manufacturers that are re-evaluating supply chains in light of pandemic-era disruptions, geopolitical tensions and the need for stable, resilient production bases. This diversification trend, often referred to as the “China plus one” strategy,” is expected to benefit India’s rapidly expanding electronics ecosystem.
Qualcomm’s observations follow a series of high-level business engagements with Indian policymakers and industry stakeholders at Davos, where discussions emphasised the investment potential in semiconductor and electronics manufacturing ecosystems under India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes and infrastructure initiatives.
India’s progress in the electronics sector reflects broader structural shifts. Industry figures point to increasing output, export growth and the entry of global supply-chain players that previously concentrated production in China. These moves are motivated by a combination of cost competitiveness, strategic risk mitigation and government incentives aimed at boosting local manufacturing and R&D.
Beyond Qualcomm’s remarks, other Davos discussions highlighted India’s broader ambitions in advanced manufacturing. Leaders noted that India aims to develop end-to-end capabilities — from assembly to high-value components — and is positioning itself for deeper involvement in semiconductors, telecom equipment and AI-related hardware production.
This momentum aligns with government targets to enhance local value addition, attract foreign direct investment in technology manufacturing, and create millions of jobs in the electronics and semiconductor ecosystem, even as supply chains continue to evolve globally.
India’s emergence as a manufacturing hub comes at a time when global firms are reassessing supply-chain dependencies and looking for diversified bases to balance economic efficiency with geopolitical risk — a dynamic that could see India consolidate its position as a pivotal node in the global electronics value chain in the coming decade.