Apple's key manufacturing partner, Foxconn, is making a hefty $1.5 billion investment to expand its operations in India. The company is setting up a display module plant near Chennai, Tamil Nadu, which is expected to create around 14,000 jobs. This move comes despite criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump and marks a significant step in Apple's strategy to diversify its manufacturing away from China, a shift that aligns with India's 'Make in India' initiative.
This plant will contribute to increasing India's share in global iPhone production, which is projected to rise from 18% in 2024 to about 32% by 2025. Foxconn's expansion is part of a broader plan to move the production of most U.S.-bound iPhones to India by the end of 2025. The Financial Times reported that these efforts are supported by government incentives in India that have made it an attractive location for electronics manufacturing.
The criticism from Donald Trump centers on Apple's decision not to bring more production back to the United States, preferring instead to bolster operations in countries like India. Nevertheless, Apple's strategy appears clear as it continues to expand its global supply chain infrastructure, backed by favorable policies in India designed to encourage such large-scale investments.