1. Big Pitch by Scindia to Cisco
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia sat down with Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins in New Delhi (India Cisco meet). He urged Cisco to significantly boost its role in India’s AI, 6G, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure—especially in Tier-2 and Tier-3 regions, aiming for inclusive tech growth
2. Scindia’s Vision: Not Just Business—Impact
Scindia highlighted India’s rise as a global innovation hotspot. He wants Cisco to co-create tech that:
- Helps local communities
- Upskills youth
- Addresses real problems
He didn’t just talk growth—he emphasized tech that actually lifts lives
3. Cisco’s Made-in-India Play in Chennai
Cisco opened its first Indian manufacturing unit in Chennai (Sept 2024), partnering with Flex.
- Aim: ₹1.3 billion (USD) in production yearly
- 1,200 new jobs
- Router assembly: NCS 540 series, advanced telecom gear This supports India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” push.
4. Why AI & 6G Come First
India’s not just rolling out 5G—it’s racing toward 6G leadership. Scindia’s message: tech giants like Cisco should plug into this momentum. India aims to contribute ~10% of global 6G patents. Over 100 R&D projects are already funded for the Bharat 6G Mission .
5. Cybersecurity & Rural Inclusion: Not an Afterthought
Scindia didn’t just focus on urban tech. He stressed:
- Securing networks
- Digital services for small towns
- Building grassroots innovation labs
All part of a vision for “future-ready Bharat” .
6. What Cisco Gains
This partnership means:
- Faster market expansion into smaller cities
- Building future-proof campuses, labs, and production lines
- Tapping into India’s STEM talent
Plus, Cisco’s “Made in India” gear gets global scale.
7. Reality, Myths vs Truths
| Myth | Truth |
| Cisco only sells software | No way—they now manufacture hardware here. |
| India’s 6G hype is just buzz | Nope—Bharat 6G Mission has 100+ funded projects. |
| Rural India is tech-shy | Nope—they want solutions for everyday problems too. |
| Atmanirbhar is just a slogan | It’s real—Cisco’s Chennai plant proves it’s more than talk. |
8. What Comes Next?
- Cisco may announce new labs or joint accelerators soon
- Expect Chennai unit to expand from routers to switches, PCBs
- Cisco could invest in Indian AI & 6G R&D
- Scindia’s call-for-impact hints at new innovation grants or VC support
9. Final Take
This isn’t just another CEO meet-up. Scindia’s inviting Cisco to become a partner in India’s digital destiny—from cities to villages; from 6G labs to secure internet. India’s laying the foundation, and Cisco could be the brick-and-mortar for global-scale tech growth.
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