Apple's Big Bet On India: Tim Cook To Meet PM Modi As First Apple Stores Open
India is set to get its first batch of Apple stores in Mumbai on April 18 and in New Delhi on April 20. In light of this development, Apple CEO Tim Cook will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
Under Tim Cook, Apple has been assessing alternatives for its device manufacturing and assembling, and India has been a key country of choice, even though Apple has only 3% market share in the country. To boost assembling in India, Apple has been using contract manufacturers along with an influx of exports.?
Tim Cook to meet Narendra Modi
On Wednesday (April 19), Tim Cook will meet Narendra Modi and the country's deputy IT minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Delhi, two sources told Reuters.
Apple is currently growing focus on India, the world's second-largest smartphone market. So far, Apple has been selling products in India via resellers or e-commerce websites like Amazon. But with the new store additions in Mumbai and New Delhi, Apple will sell products directly via its stores.?
In India, iPhones are assembled by three Apple contract manufacturers - Foxconn, Wistron, and Pegatron. In addition, Apple also has plans to assemble iPads and AirPods in India.?
Also read:?Apple's Next Move: Leaked Dummy Unit Reveals Exciting Changes For iPhone 15 Pro
In Mumbai, the Apple store is located in the Reliance Jio Drive Mall, spanning over 20,800 square feet, a lot bigger than the Delhi store that is set to open in Select City Mall in Saket.
Tim Cook also met Mukesh Ambani in Mumbai, perhaps to discuss Jio tie-ups with Apple. In addition, the Apple CEO also met Tata Group chairman N Chandrasekaran to discuss their growing relationship. Currently, Apple's manufacturing partner Wistron is in talks with Tata to make iPhones in India, along with a focus on aluminum?casing and other components.
Also read:?Apple Becomes Latest Tech Giant To Join Layoff List, To Do Job Cuts In Its Retail Segment
What do you think about Apple's immense India push? Let us know in the comments below.?For more in the world of?technology?and?science, keep reading?Indiatimes.com.
