Davos 2026: India is emerging as a manufacturing hub for electronics, Qualcomm CEO says
Speaking about the changing dynamics of the global semiconductor and consumer electronics industry, Amon emphasized that India, as well as countries such as Vietnam, are increasingly attracting large-scale electronics production.
Amon said India has established a manufacturing hub for electronics, reflecting a broader trend of companies seeking both economic efficiency and political risk reduction.
Amon noted that most electronics manufacturing historically moved from Japan to Taiwan, Korea and later China in the 1980s. While the United States maintains its technological leadership, especially in the field of semiconductors, a significant portion of industrial production remains concentrated in Asia. “The U.S. semiconductor industry is incredible at innovation, but the way to market these technologies is often through industrial bases in other countries,” he said.
The shift towards India and Vietnam reflects a combination of economic factors, incentives and supply chain flexibility considerations. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted vulnerabilities in global supply chains, particularly in the automotive and consumer electronics sectors, where chip shortages have stalled production worldwide. “Everything needs chips,” Amon said, adding that the debate on supply chain diversification is becoming increasingly critical as industries from phones to computers, automotive to industrial robots become digital.
Amon emphasized that while diversification is already underway, some critical production is also returning to the United States, often on a smaller scale. Moreover, beyond manufacturing, Amon highlighted structural challenges for American economic leadership, including the U.S. higher education system and immigration policies that have traditionally underpinned the country’s talent pipeline and innovation capacity.
The growing electronics manufacturing base presents a strategic opportunity for India to attract foreign investment, create jobs and further integrate into global supply chains. With global demand for semiconductors, AI-enabled devices and connected technologies rising, positioning India as an alternative to China could accelerate its role as a manufacturing and innovation hub.
