New Delhi, October 2025 – Special Correspondent: India’s smartphone exports witnessed a sharp surge in September 2025, highlighting the country’s growing strength in global value chains. According to estimates from the India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA), smartphone exports touched $1.8 billion in September — a year-on-year increase of nearly 95% compared to the same month last year.
Typically, August and September are low-export months for the mobile industry due to seasonal adjustments in production and shipment cycles. However, the sustained momentum this year underscores the maturity and resilience of India’s mobile manufacturing ecosystem, which continues to expand its footprint in international markets.
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U.S. Emerges as the Largest Market
During the first half of FY 2025–26 (April–September 2025), India’s total mobile phone exports are estimated at $13.5 billion, up from $8.5 billion during the same period in 2024 — a growth of over 60%.
The United States emerged as the dominant destination, accounting for nearly 70% of total exports, up from 37% last year.
Exports to the U.S. rose sharply from $3.1 billion (April–September 2024) to an estimated $9.4 billion (April–September 2025) — an increase of almost 200%. Other key export destinations included the UAE, Austria, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
“Global Value Chains Are Anchoring in India”
Commenting on the strong performance, Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman of ICEA, said:
“The sustained rise in exports reflects the solid foundation of India’s mobile manufacturing ecosystem. Global value chains are now deeply anchoring here. The surge in exports to advanced economies signals growing global trust in India’s ability to deliver quality, scale, and reliability.”
India Poised to Cross $35 Billion in Exports
ICEA projects that mobile phone exports could reach $35 billion in FY 2025–26, up from $24.1 billion in FY 2024–25. The trend firmly establishes India among the world’s leading smartphone manufacturing and export hubs.
Mohindroo further noted:
“India’s mobile phone industry is firing on all cylinders. The next phase of growth will depend on our ability to sustain the scale and competitiveness achieved so far. The focus now must shift toward deepening the component and sub-assembly ecosystem within the country to make exports sustainable in the long term.”
India’s performance in smartphone exports reflects not just robust trade numbers but also a strategic transformation in the nation’s industrial identity — signaling a shift from “Make in India” to “Ship from India.”
