Chinese semiconductor and electronics companies are showing interest in SEMICON India 2026, potentially marking the first tentative participation by Chinese businesses in India’s flagship semiconductor industry summit. Officials and industry sources told ET that Chinese suppliers are considering attending the event as trade delegates, although they are not expected to participate as exhibitors. The interest comes as India’s electronics and mobile-phone manufacturing industries expand rapidly, creating growing demand for components that domestic suppliers are not yet able to fully provide.
The development presents a notable contrast in India’s semiconductor strategy. New Delhi is seeking to reduce dependence on China in critical electronics and semiconductor supply chains, yet the country’s manufacturing boom has simultaneously increased imports of Chinese components. In the first quarter of FY27, India’s electronic component imports from China rose 1.39 times to $4.87 billion, while imports of telecom instruments increased 1.5 times to $4.52 billion, according to official statistics cited by ET.
Chinese Firms At SEMICON India 2026 At A Glance
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | SEMICON India 2026 |
| Location | Yashobhoomi, New Delhi |
| Dates | September 17–19, 2026 |
| Edition | 5th |
| Chinese participation | Tentatively as trade delegates |
| Chinese exhibitors | Not expected |
| Event focus | Entire semiconductor value chain |
| Organizers | India Semiconductor Mission and SEMI |
| Exhibitors | 500+ |
| Participating companies | 240+ |
| Country roundtables | Six |
| Electronic component imports from China, Q1 FY27 | $4.87 billion |
| Telecom instrument imports from China, Q1 FY27 | $4.52 billion |
| ECMS projects approved | 106 |
| ECMS projects already manufacturing | 38 |
| ECMS projects in construction/installation | 16 |
SEMICON India 2026 is scheduled to take place from September 17 to 19 at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi. The official event website says the 2026 edition will feature more than 500 exhibiting companies from over 20 countries across the microelectronics ecosystem.
Why Chinese Companies Are Looking At India
The primary driver appears to be commercial rather than a change in India’s broader strategic policy toward China.
India’s electronics manufacturing industry has expanded rapidly, particularly in mobile phones and associated components. As production increases, demand for everything from electronic components to telecom equipment has also risen.
An Indian official cited by ET said Chinese companies expect substantial short- to medium-term sales opportunities as India’s electronics and mobile-phone manufacturing expands.
This creates an unusual situation:
India Expands Electronics Manufacturing
↓
Higher Component Demand
↓
Domestic Supply Still Developing
↓
Higher Imports
↓
Chinese Suppliers See OpportunityThe result is that commercial demand is pulling Chinese suppliers toward a market where government policy is simultaneously trying to diversify supply chains.
Chinese Companies May Attend As Trade Delegates
The expected Chinese presence at SEMICON India 2026 is limited.
Chinese businesses are not expected to set up exhibition booths at the event. Instead, company representatives or other functionaries may attend as trade delegates.
An official told ET that India has not imposed a blanket restriction on individuals or businesses from any particular country participating in the summit. The official also confirmed that there is interest from Chinese companies this year.
Expected Chinese Participation
| Category | Expected Status |
|---|---|
| Chinese company interest | Yes |
| Trade delegates | Potential participation |
| Exhibition booths | Not expected |
| Direct manufacturing announcements | Not reported |
| Investment commitments | Not reported |
| Supplier discussions | Potential |
This means the development should not be interpreted as a formal opening of India’s semiconductor ecosystem to Chinese investment.
India’s Semiconductor Policy Is Still Focused On Reducing Dependence
India’s broader semiconductor strategy is aimed at creating a more resilient domestic ecosystem and reducing reliance on concentrated overseas supply chains.
The government has been supporting semiconductor fabs, packaging and testing facilities, electronics components and chip-design capabilities.
The official SEMICON India 2026 website describes the event’s objective as helping India become a stronger participant across the global semiconductor value chain.
The presence of Chinese suppliers therefore creates a delicate balance between:
- Supply-chain diversification
- Domestic manufacturing
- Technology access
- Component availability
- National-security considerations
- Commercial demand
India’s Electronics Boom Is Outpacing Component Production
The growing imports from China provide a measure of the supply gap.
During April-June FY27, India’s electronic component imports from China reached $4.87 billion, up 1.39 times from the comparable period, according to official statistics cited by ET.
Telecom instrument imports increased 1.5 times to $4.52 billion.
India’s Imports From China
| Product Category | Q1 FY27 Imports |
|---|---|
| Electronic components | $4.87 billion |
| Telecom instruments | $4.52 billion |
| Electronic component growth | 1.39x |
| Telecom instrument growth | 1.5x |
The numbers highlight why Chinese suppliers may view India as an increasingly important market despite the government’s long-term objective of reducing dependence on China.
Domestic Component Manufacturing Is Expanding
India is not relying entirely on imports.
Under the Electronic Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS), the government has approved 106 projects so far.
According to ET, 38 projects have already begun manufacturing, while another 16 projects are in the construction and machinery-installation phase.
ECMS Project Status
106 Projects Approved
↓
38 Manufacturing
+
16 Construction / Installation
+
52 Other Approved ProjectsThis suggests that India’s domestic component ecosystem is developing, but capacity is still being built while demand is already growing rapidly.
SEMICON India Is Becoming A Global Industry Meeting Point
The fifth edition of SEMICON India is expected to be significantly larger than previous editions.
The official event platform says the 2026 edition will bring together more than 500 exhibiting companies from more than 20 countries.
The government has also said that the event will bring together global semiconductor companies, government representatives, industry experts, academia and startups.
SEMICON India 2026 Scale
| Metric | 2026 Plan |
|---|---|
| Exhibiting companies | 500+ |
| Countries represented | 20+ |
| Event duration | 3 days |
| Venue | Yashobhoomi, Delhi |
| Organizers | ISM + SEMI |
| Focus | Silicon-to-systems ecosystem |
The official theme is “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem.”
Country Roundtables Will Focus On Supply Chains
SEMICON India 2026 will include international country roundtables designed to encourage collaboration between India and other semiconductor ecosystems.
The official program lists discussions around:
- Manufacturing
- Advanced packaging
- Equipment
- Materials
- Trusted supply chains
- AI and chip design
- Investment
- Technology partnerships
- Research
- Startups
- Talent development
Countries listed for the 2026 roundtables include South Korea, Germany, the Netherlands, Malaysia, the United States, Japan and Sweden.
China’s potential presence as trade delegates would therefore add another dimension to an event already designed around international supply-chain partnerships.
Chinese Participation Comes After A Five-Year Gap
There has been almost no direct Chinese involvement in SEMICON India’s summit since its first edition in 2022, according to ET.
The absence followed heightened tensions between India and China after the border clashes and subsequent deterioration in bilateral relations.
The potential return of Chinese business representatives is therefore notable.
It comes at a time when broader India-China economic engagement has also shown signs of adjustment.
India And China Have Recently Eased Some Restrictions
India and China resumed issuing tourist visas after a lengthy interruption, with the process restarting in stages in 2025.
The Indian government has also been working on simplifying documentation for Chinese nationals applying for Indian visas, according to India’s ambassador to China, as reported by ET.
At the same time, India has continued to maintain heightened scrutiny of Chinese investment and technology in strategically sensitive areas.
The semiconductor sector is particularly sensitive because chips are critical to telecommunications, defense, artificial intelligence, automobiles and consumer electronics.
FDI Rules For Chinese-Linked Investment Have Also Evolved
India recently eased some restrictions affecting foreign companies with Chinese ownership.
Under the revised framework reported earlier this month, overseas companies with up to 10% Chinese shareholding can invest in India through the automatic route, while larger or more sensitive cases continue to face regulatory scrutiny.
The policy adjustment suggests that India is attempting to balance investment requirements with national-security concerns.
However, participation in SEMICON India as a trade delegate is fundamentally different from receiving approval for Chinese investment in a semiconductor facility.
Why Component Suppliers Could Benefit From India
India’s semiconductor strategy is often associated with fabs and chip fabrication plants, but the ecosystem is much broader.
A modern semiconductor and electronics supply chain requires:
Chip Design
↓
Materials
↓
Equipment
↓
Wafer Fabrication
↓
Packaging
↓
Testing
↓
Components
↓
Electronics Manufacturing
↓
Finished ProductsChinese companies have substantial experience across several electronics and component segments.
Their interest in the Indian market could therefore involve opportunities beyond semiconductor manufacturing itself.
India’s Mobile Manufacturing Boom Is A Major Driver
India has become an increasingly important manufacturing base for smartphones and other electronics.
As factories increase output, they require a broader local ecosystem of:
- Components
- Connectors
- Displays
- Batteries
- Sensors
- Printed circuit boards
- Power-management components
- Telecom equipment
- Semiconductor-related materials
The faster the final-product manufacturing ecosystem expands, the greater the pressure to develop component suppliers locally.
Until domestic capacity catches up, imports are likely to remain important.
The Potential Chinese Entry Is Commercially Significant
Chinese suppliers may see SEMICON India as an opportunity to meet Indian electronics manufacturers and identify potential customers.
The event could facilitate discussions around:
- Component supply
- Technology partnerships
- Local manufacturing
- Distribution
- Joint ventures
- Supply-chain relationships
However, no specific Chinese companies or agreements have been publicly identified in the report.
Potential Business Opportunities
| Area | Potential Opportunity |
|---|---|
| Components | Supply to Indian manufacturers |
| Electronics | Manufacturing partnerships |
| Equipment | Technology and machinery sales |
| Materials | Semiconductor supply chain |
| Telecom | Equipment and component demand |
| Local production | Possible future manufacturing |
| Distribution | Indian market expansion |
The immediate opportunity appears to be market access, rather than Chinese ownership of Indian semiconductor assets.
India Faces A Strategic Balancing Act
The Chinese interest highlights one of the central challenges in India’s semiconductor ambitions.
The government wants to create a domestic and trusted supply chain, but building an entire semiconductor ecosystem cannot happen overnight.
Domestic factories require time, capital, technology and skilled workers.
Meanwhile, India’s electronics industry is expanding today.
Strategic Goal
Reduce China Dependence
↓
Domestic Supply Expansion
↓
But Capacity Takes Time
↓
Current Manufacturing Demand
↓
Imports Remain NecessaryThis tension could remain a defining feature of India’s semiconductor policy for years.
SEMICON India Could Become A Platform For Technology Partnerships
The government sees SEMICON India not only as an exhibition but as a place where companies can identify potential partners.
India Semiconductor Mission CEO and MeitY Additional Secretary Amitesh Kumar Sinha recently said companies from the United States, Europe, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore were interested in India’s semiconductor program and that foreign companies would use the September event to explore partnerships.
The potential participation of Chinese suppliers would add another source of technology and component partnerships to that ecosystem.
Security Concerns Will Remain Important
Any expansion of Chinese participation in India’s semiconductor ecosystem is likely to be closely scrutinized.
Semiconductors are considered strategically important because they underpin:
- Defense systems
- Artificial intelligence
- Data centers
- Telecommunications
- Automobiles
- Industrial equipment
- Consumer electronics
India is therefore unlikely to treat every semiconductor-related investment or technology partnership identically.
The distinction between a component supplier attending a trade event and a company receiving approval to build a strategically important semiconductor facility will remain important.
What Chinese Participation Could Signal
If Chinese companies do attend as trade delegates, it would not necessarily signal a major change in India’s semiconductor policy.
Instead, it could indicate that commercial interests are creating limited points of engagement even as strategic competition continues.
For Chinese suppliers, India represents a rapidly expanding market.
For India, Chinese suppliers can provide access to components that domestic manufacturers cannot yet supply at sufficient scale.
That creates a relationship based on commercial necessity rather than full strategic alignment.
The Bigger Picture
The potential participation of Chinese companies at SEMICON India 2026 highlights the complicated reality of India’s semiconductor ambitions. New Delhi wants to reduce dependence on China and build a resilient domestic supply chain, but the rapid expansion of electronics and mobile-phone manufacturing has created component demand faster than Indian suppliers can meet it. Electronic component imports from China reached $4.87 billion in the first quarter of FY27, while telecom instrument imports reached $4.52 billion.
The expected Chinese participation is also limited. Chinese companies are not expected to exhibit at the September 17-19 summit, but representatives may attend as trade delegates. That distinction matters because it suggests the immediate interest is focused on commercial opportunities and supply relationships rather than a formal expansion of Chinese semiconductor investment in India. At the same time, SEMICON India is expanding rapidly, with more than 500 exhibitors expected from more than 20 countries and a program focused on manufacturing, advanced packaging, equipment, materials, AI, chip design and trusted supply chains.
Looking Ahead
The key development to watch will be the actual level of Chinese participation at SEMICON India 2026 and whether trade delegates use the event to establish commercial relationships with Indian electronics and semiconductor companies. Any announcements involving component supply, technology partnerships or local manufacturing would provide a clearer indication of whether Chinese suppliers are seeking a larger role in India’s expanding electronics ecosystem. For now, the reported interest remains tentative, and no specific Chinese company or investment commitment has been identified.
For India, the episode underscores the challenge of balancing supply-chain resilience with the immediate needs of a fast-growing manufacturing industry. The government’s semiconductor programs are increasing domestic capacity, with 38 of 106 approved ECMS projects already manufacturing and another 16 in construction or equipment-installation stages. But until local production becomes large enough to meet demand, imports will remain important. Chinese participation at SEMICON India, even in a limited trade-delegate capacity, could therefore become another example of how commercial realities intersect with India’s longer-term semiconductor and strategic objectives
Get the day’s top stories in your inbox
One concise email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
