As India emerges as a global powerhouse in semiconductors and technology, chipmaking giant AMD has made substantial investments and placed strategic bets on the region to foster innovation, talent and infrastructure for years to come.

Speaking to CNBC-TV18, AMD CEO Lisa Su said that India is more than just a market for AMD; it is considered a critical development hub, with the company’s largest research and development (R&D) facility located in Bangalore.

Home to more than 8,000 employees, the Bangalore design center has become AMD’s largest design center outside the United States. Over the years, the Indian R&D center has become an integral part of the company’s end-to-end design capabilities, encompassing hardware, software and systems development.

“India is such an important part of AMD that when we look at our entire global portfolio, every aspect of our product line runs through our design center here in India,” Su said.

This global expansion is in line with AMD’s vision to harness India’s immense talent pool and make it a core part of its operations. The company has also committed $400 million in investments through 2028.

The ongoing investment in India aims to create a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem, a critical part of the company’s long-term strategy. The company’s commitment to India also aligns with the country’s broader ambitions to become a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing and AI technology.

She expressed admiration for Prime Minister Modi’s “strong and pragmatic vision” for the semiconductor industry, which emphasizes both “Make in India” manufacturing and technological advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence.

“Building semiconductor ecosystems takes time,” Su noted. Although the country is still in the early stages of this transformation, she is optimistic about the future, citing the concrete steps India is taking to attract global businesses and build necessary local infrastructure. According to her, these efforts will lay the foundation for a thriving semiconductor and technology ecosystem in India.

Watch the accompanying video for the full conversation.