India's telecom equipment industry is still a minor player in global trade. Annual exports of telecom and network equipment stand at just $0.6-1 billion, while imports are four to five times higher. But a new NITI Aayog assessment suggests this imbalance masks a much larger opportunity. With the global telecom equipment market expanding rapidly, India could emerge as a $50 billion export hub by 2035 if it can deepen local manufacturing, reduce dependence on imported components and move beyond low-value assembly.
Currently, telecom infrastructure is becoming a strategic industry as countries invest in 5G networks, fibre connectivity, data centres, AI infrastructure and future 6G technologies. India already has one of the world's largest telecom markets and has built a domestic digital ecosystem at scale. India can leverage that demand base to create a globally competitive manufacturing sector.
