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SEMICON INDIA 2026: Applied Materials Pledges $5 Billion to Plug India into Global Chip Supply Chain

US semiconductor-equipment maker Applied Materials has committed $5 billion over the next decade to integrate India into the global chip value chain.
Prabhu Raja of Applied Materials speaking at a podium during SEMICON India 2026 in New Delhi, wearing a grey suit and blue tie against a blue stage backdrop.
September 17, 2026 01:26 PM IST | Written by Vaibhav Jha

Applied Materials (AM), a U.S. based semiconductor giant, announced investment commitment of $5 billion over the next decade to integrate India’s semiconductor ecosystem into global value chains, at the SEMICON India Conference in New Delhi on Thursday.

The investment commitment, made under ‘Applied Materials India Vision 2035’, will see the semiconductor giant deepen R&D in India with a new 140-acre advanced research park and grow their India based supply chain capacity ten times.

Valued at $330 billion, AM is US’ largest semiconductor equipment maker with its footprints in India for the past two decades.

Prabhu Raja, president of the Semiconductors Products Group at Applied Materials, addressed dignitaries including Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the inauguration of SEMICON India 2026 Conference, stating, “AI has one defining challenge, we want far more computing power using far less energy and that demands more powerful, more energy efficient chips…to solve this challenge we need a new parallel model enabling high velocity innovation and high volume manufacturing . This requires equipment makers, customers, suppliers and universities to work as one unit. India has the talent base to lead this model.”

 

Under their $5 billion investment, Applied Materials India has envisioned a three pillar strategy that involves deepening R&D in India, accelerate the semiconductor ecosystem and grow future talent.

“In 2035 we aim to grow our India based supply chain capacity ten times creating opportunities for Indian suppliers and bringing global suppliers here. This helps us broaden our geographic footprint and compete globally.
Our India team has grown four times in a decade with more than 7000 staff currently and we plan to double our India R&D workforce,” added Raja.

The SEMICON India 2026 conference has been launched on Thursday with focus on advancing collaboration, investment, innovation and talent development in India. The event will showcase the semiconductor materials, equipment and chip design to fabrication, advanced packaging, electronics and systems.

The exhibition will feature six country pavilions representing Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore and Sweden, along with 12 state booths, a startup pavilion, innovation showcase, student hackathon and workforce development pavilion.

Also Read: PM Narendra Modi Chairs Semiconductor Roundtable Meet with Leading CEOs Ahead of SEMICON India 2026

Author

  • Vaibhav Jha, editor and co-founder at AI FrontPage

    Vaibhav Jha is an Editor and Co-founder of AI FrontPage. In his decade long career in journalism, Vaibhav has reported for publications including The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, and The New York Times, covering the intersection of technology, policy, and society. Outside work, he’s usually trying to persuade people to watch Anurag Kashyap films.

    LinkedIn

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