New Delhi - Cisco, a renowned technology powerhouse, has revealed its plans to commence manufacturing operations in India, signifying a significant stride in its presence within the country. This decision aligns with Cisco's strategic objective of establishing a diverse and robust global supply chain while bolstering India's ambition to become a prominent global manufacturing hub. By making this latest investment, Cisco seeks to meet the escalating customer demands in India and aims to generate over $1 billion in total through domestic production and exports in the forthcoming years.
Cisco Chair and CEO Chuck Robbins unveiled the establishment of a fresh manufacturing operation during his visit to New Delhi. The announcement came after productive discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and engagements with prominent figures such as Dr. S. Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Union Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, Skill Development, Electronics & Technology, B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, the CEO of NITI Aayog, and K. Rajaraman, the Telecom Secretary.
Chuck Robbins, Chair and CEO of Cisco, expressed, "Today, we are announcing strategic investments in Indian manufacturing capabilities as the next step in delivering cutting-edge technologies to our customers in India and across the globe. Fueled by a rapidly developing digital economy, India is a focal point of innovation and business for Cisco, and we remain deeply committed to our partnerships here."
As organizations in India and worldwide accelerate their digital transformation efforts, their technology requirements are rapidly expanding and evolving. The manufacturing facility will produce Cisco's top-notch technology, specifically designed to offer flexible and cost-effective delivery of next-generation services and applications, while also supporting complex cloud computing environments. These products will cater to the dynamic demands of companies striving to achieve agility in an increasingly hybrid and digital-first world.
Cisco is actively establishing essential manufacturing capabilities in India, encompassing testing, development, logistics, and an expansion of in-house repair operations. This initiative will not only enhance supply chain resilience and minimize lead times but also elevate the overall customer experience, while simultaneously providing a boost to the local economy.
Daisy Chittilapilly, President of Cisco India & SAARC, emphasized the strategic significance of India for Cisco, stating, "India is of strategic importance for Cisco, and we continue to place our bets on India. Today's announcement signifies a major milestone in powering the next phase of growth for Cisco. This investment will enable us to bring cutting-edge technologies to a larger audience of individuals and businesses, thereby accelerating India's transition into a leading digital economy."
India holds significant importance as a market for Cisco, serving as the company's second-largest research and development center outside of the United States. Since its establishment in India in 1995, Cisco has been dedicated to assisting the country in achieving large-scale and rapid digitization. This commitment extends to accelerating the transformation of vital sectors such as transportation and agriculture through initiatives like the Country Digitization Acceleration program. Additionally, Cisco has been instrumental in building a skilled workforce in India through programs like the Cisco Networking Academy, which contributes to enhancing the country's technological capabilities.