Apple has reportedly assured the Indian government of its continued commitment to expanding manufacturing operations in the country, even after former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly urged CEO Tim Cook to avoid shifting production to India.
According to CNBC-TV18, the tech giant conveyed to Indian officials that there has been “no change” in its long-term investment and manufacturing strategy in the region. The reassurance comes in the wake of Trump’s recent comments criticizing Apple’s growing presence in India.
During an event in Doha, Trump recounted a conversation with Apple CEO Tim Cook, expressing disapproval over Apple’s decision to scale up production in India. “I said to him, my friend, I’m treating you very good… but now I hear you’re building all over India. I don’t want you building in India. India can take care of itself,” Trump reportedly told Cook.
However, Apple has maintained its stance, signaling that India remains a crucial part of its global supply chain diversification efforts. The company’s clarification to the Indian government comes amid increasing geopolitical tensions and global efforts by multinational corporations to reduce reliance on China.
“Apple has assured the Indian government of its continued commitment to use India as a major manufacturing base,” CNBC-TV18 reported, citing unnamed government sources.
Over the past few years, Apple has significantly increased its manufacturing footprint in India. It has partnered with key contract manufacturers like Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron to assemble a variety of iPhone models locally. The company’s shift aligns with India’s “Make in India” initiative, which aims to position the country as a global manufacturing hub.
India is emerging as a critical node in Apple’s supply chain. According to recent estimates, Apple produced iPhones worth over $14 billion in India during the fiscal year 2023-24, accounting for approximately 7% of its total global iPhone production.
Tim Cook, during Apple’s latest earnings call, confirmed that the company is making substantial progress in India. He stated that a majority of iPhones sold in the U.S. during the June quarter will carry the “Made in India” label — a strong signal that Apple is moving forward with its localization plans.
This shift is not only strategic but also timely. With rising labor costs and trade tensions between the U.S. and China, Apple and other global companies are seeking alternative manufacturing destinations. India, with its skilled workforce, government incentives, and large consumer base, is increasingly being viewed as a viable alternative.
The Indian government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has actively courted major technology firms by offering Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes to attract investment. Apple has been a major beneficiary of this scheme, using it to ramp up iPhone assembly for both domestic and export markets.
Despite Trump’s public objections, analysts believe that Apple is unlikely to reverse course. “This is a purely business-driven decision. Apple has spent years preparing India as a manufacturing base. A few political remarks will not alter the course now,” said a senior technology analyst quoted by The Economic Times.
As of now, there has been no official response from Apple regarding Trump’s comments. However, the company’s communication to Indian authorities appears to reaffirm that its manufacturing strategy is firmly rooted in India’s future.
Sources:
- CNBC-TV18
- The Economic Times
- Bloomberg
- Public remarks from Donald Trump at Doha event (May 2025)
