Will Apple ‘make in India’?

September 25, 2015 01:40 am | Updated November 29, 2021 01:12 pm IST

While promoting the Indian manufacturing sector is the key thrust of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s six-day U.S. tour that began on Wednesday, what could add some fizz to the efforts is Apple if the digital giant announces some India-based facilities. And that is possible, at least two sources, one a U.S. diplomat and the other an Indian business leader in Washington DC, indicated to The Hindu .

What feeds this hope among the diplomatic and business communities is the announcement in early September by Foxconn Technology Group, a Taiwanese company which is a major assembler of Apple products in China, that it plans to invest $1 billion in India over the next two years. The company has manufacturing facilities in India already, but plans to add 12 more factories by 2020. The company’s focus in the new round of investments is start-ups, which is also Mr. Modi’s focus area during his Silicon Valley tour on September 26 and 27.

For a final word, one has to wait until the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Apple chief executive officer Tim Cook on September 27, but if the company has some India plans, it will add not merely muscle to the “Make in India” campaign but some glamour too.

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