India, US ink pact in semiconductor sector

India and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a semiconductor sub-committee under the Commercial Dialogue between the U.S. Department of Commerce and India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Ministry of Commerce.

About the semiconductor sub-committee 

• The semiconductor sub-committee would be led by the 
• Department of Commerce for the US side 
• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Ministry of Commerce and Industry for the Indian side
• The committee will convene its first engagement in mid-year to review recommendations from the joint industry-led task force launched in connection with the iCET (Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies).

Need of the move

• Objective: Its objective is to reduce its dependency on China and Taiwan

Important missions in India & US to promote the semiconductor industry

• US's CHIPS and Science Act: The CHIPS and Science Act was signed by President Joe Biden in 2022 to boost funding for the American semiconductor industry.
• India's Semiconductor Mission:  The programme aims to provide financial support to companies investing in semiconductors, display manufacturing and design ecosystems.
• The Indian government has also approved a Rs 76,000 crore scheme to boost semiconductor and display manufacturing in the country in a bid to position India as a global hub for hi-tech production and attract large chip makers.
• Incentives have been lined up for companies engaged in silicon semiconductor fabs, display fabs, compound semiconductors, silicon photonics, sensor fabs, semiconductor packaging and semiconductor design.

How significant are semiconductors?

• From automobiles to electronic goods and to smartphones, all need semiconductors. These are the chips. And disruption in semiconductor supply has led to billions of dollars of losses for major companies across the globe.
• Semiconductor chips are made from silicon, one of the most available substances on Earth, and are fitted into microcircuits that power electronic goods and components. The raw materials come mostly from Japan and Mexico.

Significance of the agreement:

• Promoting business: It would facilitate business opportunities and develop an ecosystem. 
• An opportunity to become a leader: India will achieve its aspirations to play a larger role in the electronics supply chain and realize its potential to become a leader in the automobile and electronics industry. 
• Boost for industries: Industries like automobiles, communications etc., will get much-needed push and the government’s efforts for digitization and digital growth will be supported. 
• Self-reliance: The MoU will pave the way for India to Atmanirbhar in this strategic sector.