NEW DELHI — Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday pitched India as a premier global destination for electronics manufacturing, citing Apple’s expanding footprint in the country as proof of its growing economic and strategic appeal for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
Speaking at the Bharat Telecom event in the capital, Scindia said India’s manufacturing ecosystem now offers a compelling value proposition that goes beyond sentiment. “Apple has decided to source and produce all its mobile phones in India in the years to come,” he said. “Investing in India today is not just goodwill — it’s a smart economic move.”
Scindia underlined India’s affordability, reliability, and originality as core strengths. “When you invest in India, you are choosing a vibrant and future-ready ecosystem.”
The minister’s remarks follow Apple CEO Tim Cook’s statement during a recent earnings call, where he revealed that a majority of iPhones sold in the United States during the upcoming June quarter will be manufactured in India — a significant shift from the company’s historic reliance on Chinese factories.
India’s Rising Role in Apple’s Global Supply Chain
Echoing Scindia’s message, Minister of State for Telecommunications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani highlighted India’s remarkable transition from being a mobile phone importer to a global manufacturing and export hub.
“In 2014, India produced just 6 million mobile phones and imported over 210 million units. Today, we’re producing 330 million devices annually, with 50 million exported,” Pemmasani noted.
India now contributes around 15% of Apple’s global iPhone production, according to market research firm IDC. With Apple shipping 231 million iPhones globally in 2023, the data suggests a significant volume is now being sourced from Indian factories.
Pemmasani also pointed to advancements in India’s semiconductor mission as a key driver of long-term competitiveness. “The development of fabrication plants in India marks a milestone in our journey toward technological self-reliance,” he said, emphasizing its strategic importance for electronics, system design, and high-value manufacturing.
Strategic Shift Amid Global Realignments
Apple’s decision to expand Indian production comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and concerns over trade tariffs, particularly with China. While China remains a major production base for Apple’s global supply, India is increasingly being positioned as a vital alternative.
The Indian government has rolled out several production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes in recent years to attract multinational OEMs and strengthen the electronics manufacturing sector — a strategy now bearing fruit.
As global supply chains continue to realign, both ministers made clear that India intends to seize the moment and anchor itself as a reliable, innovation-driven partner for global tech firms.
