New Delhi/IBNS: US technology major Cisco Wednesday announced that it will begin manufacturing in Tamil Nadu as part of efforts to diversify its global supply chain by setting a target of $1 billion in combined domestic production and exports in the coming years. As a part of its announcement, Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a tweet, PM Modi wrote: "Delighted to meet you @ChuckRobbins and good to see @Cisco harnessing the wide range of opportunities available in India.”

The Cisco chief, in a tweet, said that his company is investing in manufacturing in India, with an aim to drive over $1 billion in combined domestic production and exports.

“Thank you for your leadership, Honorable PM of India, @narendramodi! “Thrilled to announce @Cisco is investing in manufacturing in India, with an aim to drive over $1B in combined domestic production & exports.”

A statement from the company said: “This move is a part of Cisco's strategy to create an even more diverse and resilient global supply chain and support India’s vision of becoming a global manufacturing hub.

“With this latest investment, Cisco will cater to the growing demand from customers in India and aims to drive more than $1 billion in combined domestic production and exports in the coming years.

“The creation of a new manufacturing operation was announced by Cisco Chair and CEO Chuck Robbins in New Delhi, following a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and a series of strategic engagements with Dr.S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, Skill Development, Electronics & Technology, B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, and K. Rajaraman, Telecom Secretary.

"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," said Chuck Robbins, chair and CEO of Cisco. "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.”

The manufacturing facility will build Cisco’s best-in-class technology, designed to provide flexible, cost-effective delivery of next-generation services and applications and support complex cloud computing environments. The products can meet companies’ dynamic demands as they strive to foster agility in an increasingly hybrid, digital-first world.

Cisco is now building core manufacturing capabilities in India, including testing, development and logistics, and expanding in-house repair operations. In addition to supporting supply chain resiliency, reducing lead times, and elevating customer experience, this will add further impetus to the local economy.

India is a key market for Cisco and its second largest R&D center outside the US.

Since commencing operations in India in 1995, Cisco has focused on helping the country digitize at scale and speed, including accelerating the transformation of critical sectors like transport, agriculture, including through the Country Digitization Acceleration program, and building a skilled workforce through the Cisco Networking Academy program, it said.