1 week ago
India Eyes Broader Apple Manufacturing, Google Shift From China
India wants technology companies to make more products in the country.
The government says Apple could produce devices beyond iPhones, such as iPads or Mac computers, but Apple has not confirmed this.
Apple has made iPhones in India since 2017.
Google started assembling Pixel phones in India in 2023 and now makes some devices for export.
Reports say Google may move production of phones, smartwatches, and wireless earbuds from China to India and Vietnam beginning in 2027.
Google has not officially confirmed that plan.
India is offering financial incentives to attract manufacturing and encourage companies to buy more components locally.
The government hopes these efforts will make India a larger part of global electronics supply chains.
India expects Apple to manufacture products beyond iPhones, although no products or timeline were confirmed.
Google could move a significant share of export-oriented Pixel and other device production from China to India and Vietnam from 2027.
Google began assembling Pixel smartphones in India in 2023 and has expanded production for overseas markets.
Apple has manufactured iPhones in India since 2017 through suppliers including Foxconn and Tata Electronics.
India’s ₹62,500 crore manufacturing scheme offers incentives while emphasizing domestic components and greater value addition.
- Who
- The Indian government, Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Apple, and Google are involved.
- What
- India expects Apple to expand manufacturing beyond iPhones, while Google could shift more export-focused production from China to India and Vietnam.
- Where
- The potential manufacturing expansion centers on India, with reported Google production also moving to Vietnam from China.
- When
- Vaishnaw made the comments on Friday; the reported Google shift could begin in 2027, while India’s new manufacturing scheme runs from FY27 to FY31.
- Why
- India wants to strengthen domestic electronics manufacturing, increase local value addition, and become a larger global production and export base.
Government Expectations
Company Confirmation
Apple’s broader manufacturing
Government Expectations
Vaishnaw said the government expects Apple to expand its Indian manufacturing network beyond iPhones, potentially including iPads and Mac computers.
Company Confirmation
Apple has not confirmed which additional products it may manufacture in India or when any expansion would occur.
Google’s production shift
Government Expectations
The Indian government expects India to receive a significant share of Google’s production intended for overseas markets.
Company Confirmation
Reports describe a possible move of Google device production from China to India and Vietnam from 2027, but Google has not publicly confirmed the plan.
Domestic value addition
Government Expectations
The government says India’s value addition has moved beyond 25–28% and expects it to improve during the new scheme.
Company Confirmation
Government data cited in the reports put domestic value addition at 23% in FY24, indicating differing figures or measurement periods.
Key facts
- Apple’s Indian production
- Apple has manufactured iPhones in India since 2017 through contract manufacturers including Foxconn and Tata Electronics.
- Possible Apple expansion
- Vaishnaw indicated that Apple could manufacture products such as iPads and Mac computers in India, but did not provide a confirmed product list or timeline.
- Google’s India assembly
- Google began assembling Pixel smartphones in India in 2023, initially starting with the Pixel 8.
- Reported Google shift
- Reports say Google could move production of Pixel smartphones, smartwatches, and wireless earbuds out of China from 2027, with India and Vietnam as destinations.
- Confirmation status
- Google has not publicly confirmed the reported production shift, and Apple has not confirmed specific products for expanded Indian manufacturing.
- Manufacturing scheme
- India’s Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme has an outlay of ₹62,500 crore, runs from FY27 to FY31, and offers incentives of 2.25% to 5% on eligible mobile phone sales, plus up to 1.5% for specified domestic components and sub-assemblies.
- Production and value addition
- India is expected to account for about 26% of global iPhone production in 2026. Government figures cited domestic value addition at 23% in FY24, while Vaishnaw said it had moved beyond 25–28%.
Quotes
Ashwini Vaishnaw
India's Electronics and IT Minister
“We have multiple advantages. One advantage is of course the policy certainty. Second advantage is the design capabilities”
financialexpress.com
“The government expects a significant share of Google’s production meant for overseas markets to come to India”
financialexpress.com
Sources
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