Vikrant Shekhawat : Jan 03, 2025, 06:00 AM
India-China Apple iPhone: The confrontation between India and China on every front is nothing new. Now a new aspect of this confrontation is emerging, where both the countries are preparing to challenge each other not in the battlefield but in the world of trade. This time India has prepared a strong weapon to challenge China – electronics manufacturing and especially mobile exports.Increasing Apple iPhone manufacturing in IndiaIndia is now moving towards becoming a hub of electronics manufacturing. Big brands like Apple are making and exporting their products in India. India's electronics sector is expected to grow by 15% to reach $135-140 billion in FY 2024-25. This growth is mainly due to the boom in exports.April-December 2024: Export figuresIndia's electronic exports reached ₹2.20 lakh crore between April and December 2024. This is a remarkable achievement. It is estimated that this figure can reach ₹3.25 lakh crore by the end of FY 2024-25, which is 45% more than ₹2.23 lakh crore in FY 2023-24.Mobile exports: The most important contributorMobile exports have become the most important part of this sector. Mobile exports of ₹1.25 lakh crore took place between April-December 2024. It is expected that it can reach ₹1.75 lakh crore in FY25. This growth can make India a strong player in global mobile manufacturing.Steady domestic demandAlthough exports are growing tremendously, domestic demand remains stable. If this situation continues for a long time, the industry may face new challenges. Increasing the demand for electronics among Indian consumers is necessary to give momentum to the stagnant domestic market.India's 2030 target and challengesPrime Minister Narendra Modi has set an ambitious target of taking the electronics manufacturing sector to ₹40 lakh crore by 2030. To achieve this, a growth of 27.7% is required every year. However, currently only 15% growth is estimated in FY25. This gap shows a challenging path for India.Threat to China?India's growing exports and progress in electronics manufacturing are posing a tough challenge to China. China, which has been the global hub of electronics manufacturing, can no longer ignore this emerging position of India.ConclusionIndia is moving rapidly to strengthen its position in electronics manufacturing. If India can also boost domestic demand and make its production more competitive, it will not only challenge China but also move towards becoming a global manufacturing hub. This could be the time to write a new story of India's economic development.