New Delhi:
The recent departure of over 300 Chinese workers from Foxconn’s iPhone-manufacturing facilities in southern India will not affect mobile production, a senior government official from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) clarified this week.
“I would look at it more as an opportunity. If the workers want to go back, it’s between the company and the workers. They will have to make arrangements to ensure the work continues — production won’t be impacted. We facilitated their visas,” the official said.
The government representative further stated that the onus lies with Apple Inc. to ensure that there is no disruption in the supply chain.
“As far as Apple is concerned, they have alternatives. The primary responsibility lies with Apple to ensure that the manufacturer doesn’t impact production,” the official added.
Reports last week confirmed that more than 300 Chinese employees had returned from Foxconn’s plants in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana, sparking speculation about China’s tightening control over technology transfers and exports to India and other Southeast Asian nations.
Despite this development, Apple’s production in India continues to thrive. In the financial year 2024-25, Apple assembled iPhones worth $14 billion in India — accounting for nearly 1 in every 7 iPhones manufactured globally. This was achieved through Foxconn, Pegatron, and India’s own Tata Group.
Apple began assembling iPhones in India in 2017, and its local manufacturing has accelerated due to the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which has attracted global electronics giants to invest and build in India.
From being nearly absent in India’s production landscape a decade ago, Apple now manufactures its latest iPhone models domestically. India, with its massive population and fastest-growing economy among major nations, is a crucial market for the tech giant.
Apple also expanded its retail footprint in 2023 by opening two flagship stores—one in Mumbai and the other in Delhi. In October 2024, the company announced plans to launch four more retail stores across Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi-NCR, and Mumbai, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the Indian market.