In the early 1980s, Shenzhen was a quiet fishing village on the southern coast of China. Today, it is a global giant of technology – which houses companies like Huawei, Tencent and Dji – and a symbol of the rapid rise of China. This transformation transformed the city into a plan for urban innovation and economic acceleration.
Now the Indian industry Anand Mahindra thinks that it is time for India to have its own version of Shenzhen.
Stressing the urgency of such a transformation, Anand Mahindra, president of the Mahindra group, published on X (formerly Twitter): “It is time for an equivalent city of Shenzhen in India …”
Shenzhen, now classified as an alpha city by the research network on globalization and world cities, is one of the world’s largest economies in GDP. Located in the province of Guangdong, the city is a world hub for manufacturing, scientific research and technology -oriented events, making it a magnet for talents and innovation.
Mahindra’s call sparked a wave of online answers, Internet users with their choices for India potential. Suggestions have flocked for cities like Kolkata, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad and Machilipatnam.
“Noida is the right choice to be pushed as an equivalent of Shenzhen for India,” wrote a user. “It has everything available – a vast electronics manufacturing system to the components ecosystem to the presence of semiconductor research.”
Another user underlined the Andhra Coastal andhra Pradesh: “I think that Machilipatnam en AP has the similarities of Shenzhen, China. It is on the east coast, in the middle of the country, next to Amaravathi, large human resources that want to transform from Agri to other sectors, ready to change. A similar case of the way Shenzhen brought back. “
Some have focused on infrastructure and politics. “A city of Shenzhen in India is indeed late,” read an article. “Bengaluru, with its technological ecosystem and its companies as infosys, is a solid competitor, but to compete with the 450B GDP of Shenzhen, we need more: robust special economic zones, improvement of infrastructure, and a stronger emphasis on STEM education. Dholera Sir, with its strategic planning since 2009, could also be a gaming guard if accelerated execution.
Another voice supported Pune: “Pune can be Shenzhen from India! With its flourishing computer poles like Hinjewadi, a skilled talent basin and its solid infra, Pune is ready to direct as a technological manufacturing center.”
The urban jump of China is not limited to Shenzhen. Cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou have become global symbols of a nation balancing heritage with hyper-modern growth. It remains to be seen if India can trace a similar course – but the conversation has clearly started.
