Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT, has highlighted India’s growing success in electronics manufacturing, semiconductor development, AI adoption, railway modernisation, and infrastructure expansion. According to Vaishnaw, several sectors are now delivering results under the government’s push for manufacturing and technological growth.
Electronics Exports Become India’s Third Largest Export Category
In a major exclusive interview with the Press Trust of India (PTI), Vaishnaw said that electronics has emerged as one of India’s biggest export sectors. He noted that electronics was never among the country’s top four or five export categories over the past 30 to 40 years. However, in 2025, it became the third-largest exported goods category from India.
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He also pointed out that mobile phones became India’s single largest exported product last year, overtaking traditional export leaders such as diesel, gems and jewellery, textiles, garments, and engineering goods. “Our electronics production has grown six times in the last decade and exports have grown eight times,” Vaishnaw said.
Make in India Driving Growth Across Manufacturing Sectors
Vaishnaw said similar growth is being seen in several other industries. According to him, sectors such as defence manufacturing, technical textiles, automobiles, and engineering goods are expanding rapidly and creating new employment opportunities.
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Railway Electronics Exports Reach Developed Nations
Highlighting another example of manufacturing success, Vaishnaw said India has started exporting railway electronics to developed countries. He explained that railway electronics account for nearly 40% of the cost of a train and are among the most complex components in railway manufacturing.
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“Last year, we started exporting railway electronics to Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy and the United States,” he said. Vaishnaw said this demonstrates India’s growing capabilities in advanced manufacturing and technology-driven exports.
Semiconductor Manufacturing Finally Becoming Reality
The minister said semiconductor manufacturing had remained a long-standing ambition for India. According to him, several governments had attempted to establish semiconductor manufacturing in the country over the past six decades. “Semiconductor manufacturing was like a dream for more than six decades. Finally, we have success today,” he said.
India Exporting High-Value Precision Components
Vaishnaw also highlighted India’s growing presence in aerospace manufacturing. He said India has started exporting precision components for the global aviation sector. These products are low in volume but high in value and require advanced manufacturing capabilities. “Today, we are exporting precision components for the entire aviation sector out of India,” he said.
AI Adoption More Important Than AI Race
Addressing concerns that India may be lagging behind countries such as South Korea and Taiwan in AI and semiconductor development, Vaishnaw said direct comparisons are not appropriate.
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He noted that both countries have built their semiconductor ecosystems over several decades, while India started much later. However, he said the real opportunity lies in the widespread adoption of AI across industries. “The countries which use AI for increasing productivity will benefit the most from this technology wave,” he said.
AI Mission Supporting Businesses Across India
Vaishnaw highlighted that AI is already being used extensively across sectors in India. According to him, industries are using open-source AI models and government-supported AI tools to improve productivity.
He said the India AI Mission has made around 700 small AI models available free of cost. These models are being used by businesses and organisations to improve efficiency and decision-making.
Railways Using Data and AI to Manage Passenger Demand
Vaishnaw said Indian Railways is increasingly using technology and data analysis to predict travel demand during peak periods such as Durga Puja, Chhath, and summer vacations. He said Railways operated around 80,000 special trains during the last financial year based on demand analysis.
According to him, this helped manage passenger traffic more effectively during major festivals. “Approximately 13,000 special trains have already been operated during the current summer season.” By the end of June, the number is expected to reach between 18,000 and 20,000 special trains.
Railway Infrastructure Expansion at Record Scale
Vaishnaw said major investments have been made to increase railway capacity. According to him, around 36,000 kilometres of new railway tracks have been added. In addition, nearly 75,000 kilometres of railway lines have been upgraded.
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He also said approximately 80% of India’s railway network has undergone modernisation and upgrades in recent years. The minister added that railway electrification has reached around 99.4%. He described this as one of the largest electrification efforts undertaken anywhere in the world.
Infrastructure Development Reshaping India
Vaishnaw said infrastructure development remains a key pillar of India’s growth strategy. He noted that the number of airports in India has nearly doubled in recent years. The government has also built around 58,000 kilometres of highways and expanded railway infrastructure on a massive scale. “These are real changes which have happened in the country,” Vaishnaw said.
He added that investments in transportation, manufacturing, electronics, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence are helping build a stronger and more competitive Indian economy.
Indrani Priyadarshini is a journalist and editorial professional specialising in technology, artificial intelligence, smart cities, green energy, and digital transformation. With over four years of experience in tech journalism and digital media, she is known for turning complex industry developments into clear, engaging, and insightful stories. Her expertise spans reporting, editorial strategy, digital publishing workflows, and in-depth coverage of emerging technologies shaping the future. She has also conducted high-profile interviews and podcasts with industry leaders, bringing sharp analysis and accessible storytelling to a wide audience.
