The technology firm Cisco has announced its plans to commence manufacturing operations in India, aiming to establish a more diverse and resilient global supply chain and support India’s vision of becoming a global manufacturing hub. The company’s CEO, Chuck Robbins, stated that the manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu would generate 1,200 job opportunities. Cisco has set a target of $1 billion in combined domestic production and exports in the upcoming years.
The announcement received a warm welcome from the Indian government. Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, tweeted a greeting to Cisco. Tamil Nadu Industries Minister, Thangam Thenarasu, expressed his gratitude to Chuck Robbins and his team for their trust in the state, highlighting the previous engagements held during official visits.
Cisco plans to establish core manufacturing capabilities in India, including testing, development, logistics, and expanding in-house repair operations. Daisy Chittilapilly, President of Cisco India & SAARC, explained that this investment would facilitate the introduction of cutting-edge technologies to more people and businesses, thus accelerating India’s transformation into a leading digital economy.
India is already home to Cisco’s second-largest R&D centre, with its primary facility in the United States. Cisco’s manufacturing operations in India will be carried out through contract manufacturers and partners. The company did not disclose the specific amount of upcoming investments in the country.