India emerging as key player in global manufacturing supply chains despite receiving lower industrial subsidies than China: OECD
New Delhi, June 1
India is emerging as an increasingly important player in global manufacturing supply chains despite receiving significantly lower governmental support than Chinese firms, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has said.
Chinese companies continue to receive substantially higher levels of government support than firms in many other economies, including those in India, an OECD report said.
"Industrial firms based in China receive more subsidies than their competitors based everywhere else. Between 2005 and 2024, Chinese firms received on average three to eight times more government support than firms based in the OECD," the report said.
It added that "these subsidies were also considerably higher than the support received by firms based in non-OECD economies such as Brazil, India, and Indonesia."
Despite the difference in subsidy support, the OECD noted that India is playing a growing role in global manufacturing and industrial supply chains.
According to the report, the aerospace and defence industry, which has traditionally been dominated by companies from North America and Western Europe, is becoming more diversified as demand rises across the Asia-Pacific region and Gulf countries.
"China, India, Japan, and Korea have also taken on a more important role in the aerospace global supply chain, first as innovation-driven component suppliers but also increasingly as OEMs themselves," the report stated.
The OECD also highlighted India's growing presence in industrial materials manufacturing.
It noted that while companies based in Europe, Japan and the United States historically dominated industries such as glassmaking, advanced ceramics and high-performance refractories, the balance has shifted in recent decades.
"Since the 2000s, Asia, and more specifically China and India, have taken the lead as both global producers and consumers across many of the subsegments," the report said.
The report attributed this shift to factors including a construction boom, lower production costs and changes in business strategies by companies in OECD economies.
India was also identified as a significant producer in the heavy machinery sector.
The OECD noted that while major heavy machinery manufacturers have traditionally been based in OECD countries, several Chinese firms have gained sizeable market share over recent decades.
At the same time, the report said there are "significant producers based in other emerging and developing economies such as India."
In the steel sector, the report said the largest players are based in China, India and OECD countries.
However, China remains the dominant force globally. According to the OECD, Chinese firms accounted for 47 per cent of global steelmaking capacity and 49 per cent of total steel revenue covered in the OECD MAGIC database in 2024.
The report suggests that while China continues to benefit from substantially higher state support and larger market share in several industries, India is steadily strengthening its position in global manufacturing and industrial supply chains across multiple sectors.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is exactly why PLI schemes and production-linked incentives are so important. We're competing with one hand tied behind our back while China showers their industries with subsidies. Imagine what we could achieve with similar support! The steel and heavy machinery sectors are showing real potential though.
Impressive to see India's manufacturing sector growing organically without as much state support. The lower production costs and construction boom are helping, but let's not forget the skilled workforce. I work in supply chain management and the shift towards India is definitely happening. Quality and reliability are improving.
Good to see OECD acknowledging India's manufacturing growth. But we need more focus on high-tech sectors beyond basic manufacturing. Aerospace and defence are positive signs - we should aim to be an OEM hub, not just component suppliers. Government needs to simplify regulations further for ease of doing business.
As someone who's worked in global supply chains for 15 years, I've seen India's capabilities grow significantly. The fact that they're making progress without China-level subsidies shows the strength of their domestic market and entrepreneurial spirit. The steel sector numbers are particularly impressive - 49% of global revenue from Chinese firms but India is right there competing.
While this is encouraging, we should be honest - China still dominates with 47% of steel capacity and massive subsidies. India needs to focus on quality and innovation, not just low-cost production. The OECD report is right about diversification in aerospace, but we need to invest more in R&D. Still, proud to see India making its mark! ✨
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