Former Intel CEO Urges India to Reclaim Chip Expertise

Pat Gelsinger, former Intel CEO, strongly endorsed India’s ambitious plan to establish a robust domestic semiconductor manufacturing and design ecosystem.

However, he simultaneously urged government and industry leaders to prioritize repatriating skilled Indian chip professionals working abroad.

Pat, a veteran of the semiconductor industry and a key advocate for geographic diversification in the global supply chain, recently engaged with Indian leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, praising their commitment to building the nation’s chip ecosystem.

He highlighted that while financial incentives like the National Semiconductor Mission are essential for attracting initial investment in fabrication plants (fabs), long-term success hinges on nurturing and mobilizing the highest-caliber engineering talent.

Intel CEO on Repatriation and Talent Pipeline

The core of Pat’s message centers on the need for India to aggressively woo back members of its highly-skilled diaspora.

India boasts a vast pool of software and design engineers, many of whom hold critical roles in global chip design, R&D, and manufacturing centers in the U.S., Taiwan, and Europe.

Pat emphasized that these experienced professionals are indispensable for transitioning India from a major chip design services provider to a fully integrated manufacturing powerhouse.

Analysts suggest this plea comes at a pivotal moment, as global giants like Intel, Microsoft, and Amazon significantly ramp up their investment and focus on India.

However, building a complex, world-class semiconductor industry is a “marathon, not a sprint,” requiring deep operational expertise that only veterans in the field possess.

A Critical Juncture in Global Geopolitics

Pat’s counsel aligns with his long-held view on strengthening supply-chain resilience through diversification, a strategy he championed while leading Intel to invest billions in new manufacturing capacity in the U.S. and Europe.

For India, this represents a “Sputnik moment,” an opportunity to double down on its advantages—a massive engineering talent pool and a thriving software industry—to secure a strategic position in the geopolitical race for chip dominance.

By creating high-impact domestic roles, offering competitive compensation, and providing state-of-the-art infrastructure, India can reverse the flow of skilled workers.

The country must not only invest in building physical plants but also in cultivating an environment that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship, learning from the successes and missteps of established industry players globally.

This strategic focus on talent acquisition and repatriation is considered crucial for realizing India’s aspiration to become a self-sufficient and leading player in the world’s most critical technology.

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