New Delhi: At a time when India is poised to become a global manufacturing hub for mobile phones and components, Pankaj Mohindroo, National President, Indian Cellular Association (ICA), has asked Chinese companies to partner with Indian firms for setting up a manufacturing base in the country.

“We are targeting 500 million mobile phones manufacturing by 2019, along with a robust component industry. Our Chinese partners will help us in achieving this,” Mohindroo added.

Speaking at the second India-China Mobile Phones and Accessories Manufacturing Summit, organised here under the first edition of the three-day mobile fair, India Mobile Diwali (IMD), Mohindroo said there is a huge emerging opportunity in component manufacturing in India now.

The event, aimed at strengthening the Indian mobile phone and component manufacturing ecosystem in sync with Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s `Make in India` and `Digital India` initiatives, is held at a time when Indians are strongly opposing the use of “Made in China” products.

Urging Chinese companies to take advantage of the new investment and manufacturing opportunities in India, policy initiatives and increased ease of business, Aruna Sundarajan, Secretary Ministry of Electronics, IT, Government of India, said Indian talent and Chinese innovation can be a very potent fusion.

She also pointed out that Chinese companies need to look at India as a partner in `Make in India` programme and not only as a market destination for their products.

Lingyun Wu, Founder and CEO, Mobile World (Shoujibao), Shenzhen, said Chinese companies are excited to be part of the `Make in India` campaign and establish mobile handset and component manufacturing facilities in India.

“I`m sure that IMD will open ample opportunities to network and join hands and further strengthen investments in India,” Lingyun added.

The three-day fair, organised by Mobile World (Shoujibao), China`s leading Mobile Industry service platform in association with the Indian Cellular Association, the apex body representing the mobile handset Industry in India, saw participation from industry bigwigs like Peter Lee, COO Huawei, Josh Foulger, MD Foxconn, Keshav Bansal, Director, Intex, S.N. Rai, Co-founder and Director, Lava, and over 300 investment delegations and mobile phone companies and component manufacturers from China and India.

A high-level Investment Delegation from China`s mobile phone industry will be on a six-day India visit from October 21-26 to participate in India Mobile Diwali Expo.