India, Aug. 15 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India has begun production at three semiconductor plants, with five to eight more expected to come up over the next eight years. Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day, Modi said India had discussed semiconductor manufacturing for years but lacked large-scale production facilities. Production has now begun at three plants, with exports also underway, he said.

Modi linked the semiconductor push with India's technological self-reliance and the broader objective of building an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

India's efforts to develop a domestic semiconductor industry predate the Semicon India Programme. The government introduced the Special Incentive Package...