Apple’s continued expansion of its iPhone manufacturing operations in India signals rising global confidence in the country’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem, according to Rajeev Chandrasekhar, former Union minister of state for electronics and IT.
“Thanks to forward-thinking policies like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and sustained efforts by the Indian government, India is fast becoming a global hub for high-tech manufacturing,” Chandrasekhar posted on the social media platform X.
Chandrasekhar’s comments come amid a ramp-up in Apple’s local manufacturing through its contract partners Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron. Foxconn, Apple’s largest supplier, has invested Rs 12,700 crore in India and is close to launching its facility in Bengaluru, where commercial shipments of iPhones could begin as early as June. The plant is expected to produce up to 20 million iPhones annually at peak capacity.
Also Read: Tariff? Long arm of Trump law may not pluck Apple off India
“India is well on track to hit $300 billion in electronics manufacturing by 2027, with $120 billion targeted for exports,” Chandrasekhar noted.
Apple assembled iPhones worth $22 billion in India in the last financial year, with Tamil Nadu-based Foxconn accounting for nearly half of the company’s exports.
Trump pressures Apple to shift production to US
The expansion comes at a time when US president Donald Trump has stepped up pressure on Apple to shift production to American soil. In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump said he had informed Apple chief executive officer Tim Cook that iPhones sold in the US should be manufactured domestically, not in India or any other country. Failure to comply, he warned, could attract a tariff of at least 25%.
“I don’t want you building in India. India can take care of themselves, they are doing very well,” Trump told business leaders during an event in Qatar earlier this month, referring to a conversation with Cook about relocating manufacturing from India to the US.
Despite these headwinds, Apple appears to be doubling down on its India strategy. The company’s local manufacturing push aligns with the Indian government’s broader objective of making the country a key global electronics export hub.
Industry executives say Apple’s growing footprint could pave the way for a larger electronics supply chain in India, potentially reducing dependency on China and driving employment and innovation in the sector.
“Thanks to forward-thinking policies like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and sustained efforts by the Indian government, India is fast becoming a global hub for high-tech manufacturing,” Chandrasekhar posted on the social media platform X.
Apple’s decision to expand iPhone manufacturing in India despite challenges shows the growing global confidence in the country's manufacturing ecosystem.
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@RajeevRC_X) May 23, 2025
Thanks to forward-thinking policies like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and sustained efforts by the Indian… pic.twitter.com/JCDbWS9dvb
Chandrasekhar’s comments come amid a ramp-up in Apple’s local manufacturing through its contract partners Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron. Foxconn, Apple’s largest supplier, has invested Rs 12,700 crore in India and is close to launching its facility in Bengaluru, where commercial shipments of iPhones could begin as early as June. The plant is expected to produce up to 20 million iPhones annually at peak capacity.
Also Read: Tariff? Long arm of Trump law may not pluck Apple off India
“India is well on track to hit $300 billion in electronics manufacturing by 2027, with $120 billion targeted for exports,” Chandrasekhar noted.
Apple assembled iPhones worth $22 billion in India in the last financial year, with Tamil Nadu-based Foxconn accounting for nearly half of the company’s exports.
Trump pressures Apple to shift production to US
The expansion comes at a time when US president Donald Trump has stepped up pressure on Apple to shift production to American soil. In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump said he had informed Apple chief executive officer Tim Cook that iPhones sold in the US should be manufactured domestically, not in India or any other country. Failure to comply, he warned, could attract a tariff of at least 25%.
“I don’t want you building in India. India can take care of themselves, they are doing very well,” Trump told business leaders during an event in Qatar earlier this month, referring to a conversation with Cook about relocating manufacturing from India to the US.
Despite these headwinds, Apple appears to be doubling down on its India strategy. The company’s local manufacturing push aligns with the Indian government’s broader objective of making the country a key global electronics export hub.
Industry executives say Apple’s growing footprint could pave the way for a larger electronics supply chain in India, potentially reducing dependency on China and driving employment and innovation in the sector.
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