India has become the largest supplier of smartphones to the United States, with its share in US smartphone imports rising dramatically from 13% in the second quarter of 2024 to 44% in the second quarter of 2025. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced this significant milestone during the inauguration of Metro projects in Bengaluru in August 2025.
The minister announced that India’s electronics production has grown sixfold over the past 11 years to Rs 12 lakh crore, while electronic exports have increased eightfold to Rs 3 lakh crore, Times of India noted.
India is now the world’s second-largest manufacturer of mobile phones, supported by over 300 manufacturing units, up from just two in 2014. Today, 99.2% of smartphones sold within India are domestically produced, a significant rise from 26% in 2014-15. This remarkable growth signifies India’s emergence as a global technology manufacturing hub and a key player in international electronics trade.
A New Leader in Smartphone Exports
The shift of smartphone supply chains towards India is exemplified by the surge in India’s share of smartphones imported into the US, which rose from 13% in the second quarter of 2024 to 44% in the same period of 2025. This meteoric rise comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions between the US and China, prompting companies like Apple to accelerate their “China Plus One” strategy by expanding iPhone production in India.
Apple alone has significantly contributed to this trend, with a growing number of iPhone models assembled in India and shipped to the US. Alongside Apple, brands like Vivo (21% market share), Samsung (16%), and OPPO are key contributors to India’s export growth. This shift also reflects global efforts by smartphone manufacturers to diversify supply chains for risk mitigation and tariff-related advantages.
Government Policies Fueling Growth
The exponential expansion of India’s electronics sector has been spurred by targeted government policies such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which has drawn more than Rs 13,000 crore in investments and created around 1.35 lakh direct jobs. Mobile phone manufacturing value surged from Rs 18,900 crore in FY14 to Rs 4.22 lakh crore in FY24.
The electronics industry’s rise supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to make India a global technology hub, fostering economic growth and wider access to advanced electronics domestically and internationally. Karnataka, with Bengaluru as a major tech and manufacturing centre, plays a crucial role in this ecosystem. Alongside China and Vietnam, India now ranks among the top global hubs contributing to the reorientation of the electronics supply chain.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
India’s ascent as the largest smartphone supplier to the US signals more than just industrial success; it highlights the potential for inclusive economic development through technological advancement.
While this growth demonstrates India’s resilience and innovation capacity, it also invites reflection on sustainable industrialisation that balances economic benefits with environmental responsibility and equitable opportunities for workers across regions.
Continued government support, industry innovation, and community engagement will be key to ensuring that this transformation benefits all sections of society.
