As India emerges as a global supplier in the semiconductor industry and builds capabilities in chip design and manufacturing, the country could face cybersecurity, geopolitical, and other disruption-related challenges. Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw gave this warning during a media interview in New Delhi. While speaking to the media on September 19, the minister urged Indian startup companies to be careful against potential cyberattacks, geopolitical risks and other disruptions.
Addressing the media, the minister said that India’s emergence as a country capable of designing and manufacturing chips for semiconductor devices could improve its position in the global semiconductor value chain, potentially drawing attention from established players and opponents of India’s rise. He also stated that he had discussed these concerns with the industry and urged them to prepare for potential cyberattacks, threats, and other possible disruptions.
These risks could extend beyond common business competition to include cyberattacks, physical attacks, misinformation, and other forms of disruption. The country’s push for semiconductors has also attracted increasing investment interest. Recent announcements related to this include Applied Materials, a United States manufacturing company, planning a US$5 billion investment in India through 2035, Lam Research’s proposed ₹10,000 crore investment; and Fujifilm planning to invest approximately ₹800 crore to establish a semiconductor material plant in Dholera. These developments reflect the country’s growing ambition to expand India’s semiconductor ecosystem.
The warning from Union IT Minister reflects the major concern that needs to be cater by Indian semiconductor companies to consider cybersecurity and other broader disruption risks alongside investment in manufacturing capacity, technology and talent.
