Taiwan semiconductor makers to visit India to discuss cooperation

Taiwan will send a high-profile delegation of semiconductor manufacturers to India to take forward cooperation in the crucial sector, including possible collaboration under New Delhi’s programme of production linked incentives (PLI) for large-scale electronics manufacturing.

The visit by the Taiwanese delegation will be a follow-up to two visits from the Indian side and several meetings held since last year to discuss collaboration in making the chips required for electronics items, communications devices, health care systems, and motor vehicles, people familiar with the matter said.

“The delegation is expected to include representatives of top semiconductor manufacturers, including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC),” one of the people cited above said.

The exact dates for the delegation’s visit are yet to be finalised, though it is expected to be in India in the coming weeks.

The visit will allow Taiwanese manufacturers to find out more about the Indian government’s semiconductor mission, announced last December, which envisages PLIs worth ₹76,000 crore or around $10 billion for the entire supply chain, including electronic components, subassemblies and finished goods, a second person said. The Taiwanese manufacturers will also be able to gain firsthand knowledge of possible sites for setting up units in India and other local conditions, the second person said.

India and Taiwan had earlier held talks that linked a free trade agreement to the creation of a semiconductor manufacturing hub in the country. Last year, the two sides set up four groups that focused on creating a semiconductor hub, training of the highly specialised manpower needed for the industry, a bilateral investment agreement, and a free trade agreement.

Following the unveiling of the Indian government’s semiconductor mission with PLIs, the two sides have been looking at the issue afresh, the people said.