• Apple could make major expansion beyond iPhones in India, potentially marking a shift in its manufacturing and supply chain strategies.
• Electronics and IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that Apple is set to diversify its manufacturing presence in the country as India emerges as a global electronics manufacturing hub.
• Apple is also looking to diversify its supply chains, with increased production of iPhones in India and growing export volumes.

Apple India Manufacturing Expansion Gains Momentum

• Apple’s India manufacturing footprint has grown substantially over the last couple of years. The company has partnered with several key manufacturing firms including Foxconn and Tata Electronics to ramp up production and diversify its supply chains.
• According to various reports, India assembled 55 million iPhones in 2025 as compared to 36 million in 2024. Further, India’s share in global iPhone production stands at close to 25%.
• The impressive growth figures have enabled India to secure its position as a preferred manufacturing destination for Apple, while also supporting its China Plus One strategy.

Will Apple Make AirPods, iPads and MacBooks in India?

Apple’s expansion plans in India have attracted immense attention, given the potential impact on the local electronics manufacturing sector.

Apple has already begun manufacturing AirPods in India and there have also been reports of the company looking to manufacture other products and components in the country. Further, Apple has ramped up its hiring and supply chain efforts in India in order to boost its manufacturing capabilities.

That said, it has not been easy for Apple to manufacture high-end products such as iPads and MacBooks in India due to complex supply chains and limited domestic demand. In fact, there have been earlier reports that Apple was looking to diversify its India manufacturing plans beyond iPhones and AirPods.

Therefore, minister Vaishnaw’s remarks about Apple’s diversification plans in India could be seen as a positive development.

India Emerges as Apple’s Key Manufacturing Destination

Apple’s growing dependence on India is part of a much bigger trend, wherein the company and its suppliers are looking to reduce their reliance on China.

While China remained Apple’s manufacturing and supply chain partner of choice for many years, a combination of geopolitical, economic and strategic factors has prompted Apple to look for alternatives. As a result, several electronics and component manufacturers have begun relocating some of their operations to other countries.

India is one of the key beneficiaries of Apple’s ‘China Plus One’ strategy, which has enabled the country to emerge as a major global manufacturing hub for electronics products and components.

Apple’s India manufacturing footprint has grown substantially over the last couple of years.

Not only has the company partnered with local firms to ramp up iPhone production, Apple suppliers are also beginning to set up shop in various part of India.

According to various industry reports, Apple has a growing supplier ecosystem across the country.

In fact, there are reports that over 40 firms are part of Apple’s extensive manufacturing ecosystem in India.

Foxconn and Tata Electronics Play a Major Role

There are two key manufacturing giants that have benefitted immensely from Apple’s manufacturing diversification strategy – Foxconn and Tata Electronics.

Foxconn has ramped up its manufacturing footprint in India, with increased investment in both manufacturing and ancillary infrastructure.

Tata Electronics, on the other hand, has emerged as a critical player in India’s growing electronics manufacturing ecosystem and is also partnering closely with Apple.

With enhanced investments and manufacturing capabilities, both these firms are poised to play an important role in India’s evolving electronics manufacturing landscape.

Apple’s China Plus One Strategy Benefits India

• Apple’s broader manufacturing strategy has had a major impact on India’s electronics manufacturing sector.
• Apple’s ‘China Plus One’ strategy aims to reduce the company’s overreliance on China by diversifying manufacturing across other countries.
• India offers several advantages to Apple and its suppliers, including abundant manpower, policy support, manufacturing infrastructure, supplier ecosystem, cost competitiveness, domestic consumption base and export opportunities.
• Further, India is estimated to have one of the largest consumer markets in the world, which could also benefit electronics manufacturers.
• India has also emerged as a preferred export destination for many electronics manufacturers, including Apple suppliers.
• Further, several local firms have begun supplying critical components to global electronics manufacturers, including Apple.
• The Indian government has also been promoting domestic manufacturing through various initiatives, including the PLI scheme for electronics manufacturing and components.
• The government has also proposed a new electronics manufacturing incentive scheme that will boost local manufacturing and value addition. The proposed changes will also have a major impact on India’s smartphone manufacturing ecosystem, including local sourcing of components and export opportunities.

What Apple’s Expansion Could Mean for India

• Apple’s manufacturing expansion plans have major implications for India’s electronics manufacturing sector.
• Apple has the potential to transform India into one of the world’s largest manufacturing destinations.
• Although Apple has so far focused on iPhone manufacturing in India, the company’s interest in diversifying its manufacturing footprint in the country could have a major impact on India’s electronics manufacturing sector.
• Apple’s expansion plans could create significant employment opportunities in India, apart from boosting domestic manufacturing capabilities.
• India’s evolving electronics manufacturing ecosystem could also benefit various local manufacturing firms, including suppliers, component makers and ancillary units.
• Apple’s manufacturing expansion in India could have a major impact on key manufacturing states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and others.
• Tamil Nadu, in particular, has established itself as a key manufacturing destination for iPhones, with Pegatron, Foxconn and Tata Electronics all setting up shop in the state.