Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon in New Delhi on Friday to discuss expanding collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and digital innovation, underscoring India’s drive to position itself as a global technology powerhouse.
Strengthening AI and Chip Partnerships
According to an official statement, both leaders reviewed Qualcomm’s ongoing investments in India and explored opportunities to strengthen cooperation in AI development, 5G infrastructure, and semiconductor manufacturing. Modi praised Qualcomm’s long-standing presence in India, highlighting its role in advancing the nation’s digital ecosystem through research and local partnerships.
“India is emerging as a trusted global hub for innovation, design, and manufacturing in semiconductors,” Modi said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Discussed ways to further deepen our cooperation in areas such as AI, 5G, and future technologies.”
Amon reaffirmed Qualcomm’s commitment to expanding its engineering operations in India, emphasizing that the country plays a pivotal role in the company’s global research and development network. Qualcomm currently operates major R&D centers in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai, employing thousands of engineers working on wireless communications and chip design.
Qualcomm’s Role in India’s Digital Push
The meeting comes amid the Indian government’s Semicon India initiative, launched to attract global chipmakers and reduce dependence on imports. Qualcomm has been an early investor in India’s semiconductor talent base, partnering with domestic startups and universities to boost innovation in embedded systems and AI applications.
Amon said Qualcomm sees India as a key market for AI-powered devices and edge computing solutions, noting that its Snapdragon platforms will support the next wave of connected technologies—from smart cities to automotive innovation.
“India has the talent, scale, and entrepreneurial energy to lead the next digital revolution,” Amon said. “We’re excited to deepen our partnerships and support the country’s vision of becoming a global hub for semiconductor and AI innovation.”
Strategic Timing Amid Global Chip Competition
The meeting also comes at a crucial juncture in the global semiconductor race, as nations seek to secure supply chains and reduce geopolitical dependencies. The U.S. and India have been strengthening their technology partnerships through frameworks like the U.S.-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), which focuses on semiconductors, AI, and quantum computing.
Qualcomm’s expanding engagement in India complements similar moves by other U.S. tech firms, including Micron, Applied Materials, and Lam Research, which have all announced major semiconductor-related investments following Modi’s push for a $10 billion incentive plan for chip manufacturing and design.
Building an Innovation-Driven Future
Modi’s meeting with Amon aligns with India’s broader ambition to integrate AI into governance, manufacturing, and digital services under the Digital India 2.0 framework. The government is also rolling out initiatives to build AI computing infrastructure and skill millions in AI technologies through public-private partnerships.
“India will lead the world in responsible AI innovation,” Modi said recently at the Global Partnership on AI Summit. “Our goal is to ensure technology benefits all humanity.”
Industry experts say Qualcomm’s continued collaboration could help India develop a more self-reliant semiconductor ecosystem, bridging gaps in chip design and AI-driven hardware capabilities.
The meeting concluded with both leaders reaffirming their shared vision for a “Techade of Trust”—a decade defined by open innovation, digital inclusion, and strategic technology leadership.
