India’s growing prominence in global electronics manufacturing has received a strong endorsement from Foxconn, Apple’s primary iPhone assembler. Despite earlier reports suggesting a possible disruption in production due to the recall of around 300 engineers from India to China, recent developments confirm that Foxconn’s Indian operations remain stable and are set to expand further.
An Indian government official has clarified that while some Chinese employees were asked to return to China earlier this year, this movement has not significantly affected Foxconn’s functioning in the country. S. Krishnan, Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, stated during a trade fair in Taipei that the company’s operations in India continue without disruption. He also revealed that Foxconn, which has been running a facility in Chennai for the past five years, is now preparing to launch a new manufacturing plant in Bangalore.
The expansion is part of a broader strategy by Foxconn and Apple to diversify their manufacturing base beyond China. This move aims to reduce reliance on China and avoid complications arising from U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods introduced during former President Donald Trump’s administration. Although those tariffs are currently under negotiation, the geopolitical landscape continues to encourage Apple to shift more of its supply chain to India.
Foxconn’s increased investment in India also reflects a broader geopolitical realignment. Tensions between India and China, which escalated following a military clash at the Himalayan border in 2020, had prompted India to tighten its policies on Chinese investments and ban hundreds of Chinese apps. However, diplomatic relations between the two nations have seen a gradual thaw, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping recently engaging in bilateral talks—the first such meeting in seven years.
As Apple and Foxconn push forward with their Make in India strategy, the country's role in the global technology supply chain is only set to grow stronger.
