New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS): India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA) is giving a major emphasis on research and development of smartphones in the country and has said that it is in the final stages of sharing a plan with the government to create a strong R&D ecosystem.

In a statement, the industry body said that as the next step to the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, ICEA is working on a plan for the R&D and design of smartphones in India.

The government is keen to create and develop technical know-how in India by bringing complete knowledge of hardware designing skills in India, it said, adding that it is being built to improve hardware design as well as to reduce cost of design.

"Our aim is to eventually seek an opportunity to create a chip design and chip manufacturing hub in India. When implemented, it would drive localisation and transform the current manufacturing to absolute knowledge-based manufacturing," it said.

ICEA Chairman Pankaj Mohindroo said: "Indian engineers are at the helm of power in the technology domain of the world. They are changing the world, but it is being done from outside of India."

He, however, was of the view that Indian companies must take full responsibility to create and develop a platform that can unlock the potential of Indian engineering.