India, Aug. 17 -- India's Telecom and Network Equipment (TANE) manufacturing remains largely concentrated in low-value assembly, with domestic value addition often below 20% despite the country's push to expand local production, a NITI Aayog report has said.

Manufacturers continue to import high-cost sub-assemblies and components for final integration and packaging in India, while critical capabilities in product design, research and development, and core component fabrication remain overseas, according to the Report on Key Sectors to Position India as a Global Manufacturing Hub.

China accounts for a significant part of that exposure. India imports around USD 4-5 billion in telecom and network equipment annually, with more than 80% of c...