16 May, India
Apple has reaffirmed its commitment to continue investing and expanding in India, despite criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump.
In a significant development highlighting India’s growing importance in the global technology manufacturing landscape, Apple Inc.
Despite recent criticisms from former U.S. President Donald Trump, Tim Cook has reaffirmed his intention to increase Apple’s operations in India.
In a speech in Qatar, Trump complained about Apple’s plan to move a portion of its iPhone production from China to India, calling on the company to focus more on domestic production within the United States.
He said, “We are not interested in you building in India… we want you to build here,” insisting that he would like Apple to invest more in U.S.-based manufacturing facilities
Apple, in return, has committed to the Indian government that its investment and manufacturing plans in India will remain unchanged. The company reiterated its commitment to expanding its footprint in the country, which has emerged as a growing hub for iPhone production.
The step is in line with India’s goal of becoming a world-class electronics manufacturing base.
Apple’s strategic push to India is reflected in its recent production numbers. In the financial year ended March 2025, the corporation produced $22 billion worth of iPhones in India, marking a nearly 60% increase over the previous year.
This is a conscious attempt to diversify its supply chain and limit its dependence on China, particularly with heightened U.S.-China trade tensions.
Most of these iPhones made in India are produced at the factory of Foxconn Technology Group in the southern part of the country, with the Tata Group’s electronics manufacturing unit.
Apple shipped iPhones worth approximately $17.4 billion in the previous fiscal year, which ended on March 2025, most of which went to the United States.
Over the next few years, Apple will raise its production capacity even further in India. The company aims to shift 18% of its total iPhone production to India by fiscal year 2025.
This growth is backed by India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which offers tax reliefs and subsidies to spur foreign investment in the electronics manufacturing sector.
The Indian electronics manufacturing industry has seen tremendous growth, holding around 3.7% of the global market share by fiscal year 2022. The industry accounted for 4% of the country’s GDP in the same fiscal year, showing its significance in the country’s economic sector.
Overall, despite political pressures and trade tensions, Apple is determined to expand its manufacturing footprint in India.
This decision not only reinforces India’s position as a key player in the global electronics supply chain but it also serves Apple’s strategic objectives of diversifying its production base and mitigating geopolitical risks.
