MeitY Secretary S Krishnan has called for stronger semiconductor and electronics capabilities to shield India from technology denial and supply-chain disruptions while remaining integrated with global technology ecosystems.
MeitY Secretary S Krishnan has proposed a “Mutually Assured Disruption” strategy to reduce India’s vulnerability to technology denial and disruptions in global electronics and technology supply chains.
Krishnan identified semiconductors as a strategically important area, saying India needs a significant presence in the semiconductor space and sufficient domestic capability to secure critical inputs as electronics consumption grows.
“From a strategic perspective, I think having a presence in the semiconductor space is very important. We are already, and we will keep growing as a consumer of these devices. Our per capita incomes are reaching that point of inflection where consumption will rise faster.
So, electronics may be an important item of consumption, and this essentially means we need to make enough of these inputs,”
However, Krishnan said India cannot realistically manufacture every component across the entire technology value chain. Instead, the country should develop substantial capabilities in strategically important segments of global supply chains and become an indispensable participant in key technology ecosystems.
The strategy would help India continue operating if access to foreign technologies or supplies is restricted, while maintaining openness to global technology and innovation.
Krishnan also pointed to greater supply-chain diversification since the COVID-19 pandemic, as businesses and governments seek to reduce dependence on single markets, countries, or supply sources.
“A significant shift has taken place since the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside other global developments, with businesses and governments increasingly recognising the risks of excessive dependence on a single market, country, or source of supply. Rather than concentrating manufacturing solely in the most cost-competitive location, there is now greater emphasis on diversification as a means of building resilience,”
